In his petition for jactitation of marriage, Madueke prayed the court to order Diezani, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources to revert to her maiden name, Agama.
He argued that Diezani’s continued use of his name, despite their marriage being legally dissolved, damages his reputation and could lead to unintended consequences, including mistaken liability due to the corruption allegations against her.
Madueke, married Diezani on June 30, 1999, under the Marriage Act.
The former military chief said Diezani previously filed for divorce in the Nassarawa State High Court in November 2021, citing an irreconcilable breakdown of their marriage.
Madueke did not oppose the suit, and the court dissolved the marriage. However, Diezani has continued using his first name and surname despite their union’s formal termination.
Madueke’s petition reads: “On the 13th day of April 2022, judgment was delivered in Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021 by Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya dissolving the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
“Even though the marriage has been dissolved and is now legally finalised, the respondent continues to use the petitioner’s first name (Alison) and surname (Madueke) as her own without any justification or consent from the petitioner.
“It is now more than two-years that the respondent continues to use the name of the petitioner to his embarrassment.”
Madueke said he directed his legal representatives to serve Diezani a formal request on December 14, 2023, demanding that she stops using his surname and revert to Agama, her maiden name.
The petitioner said the former minister failed to respond to the legal notice and continues to use his name.
“The respondent has continued to hold out herself as the wife of the petitioner even when the marriage has been dissolved,” the petition reads.
Madueke’s petition further highlighted the ongoing criminal trials Diezani faces in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, stating that her continued use of his name misleads the public and tarnishes his reputation.
“The respondent is undergoing criminal trials in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The charge in Nigeria is Suit No. FUC/ABI/CR/208/2010.
“The respondent faces public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, for which trials are ongoing for both.
“The persistent portrayal of the respondent as the spouse of the petitioner is creating embarrassment, a misleading impression and tarnishing the reputation, integrity, and public image of the petitioner.
“The respondent’s continued use of the petitioner’s first and surname falsely suggests to the public a continuing relationship between the parties though same has since legally ended.
“The respondent’s continued use of the petitioner’s first and family names poses a significant risk of legal and financial harm to the petitioner.
“The petitioner seeks the intervention of this honourable court to prevent the respondent from further using his first name and surname, thereby safeguarding his image, personality, and reputation.”
Diezani has held several positions in Nigeria. She was minister of transportation, minister of mines and steel development, and minister of petroleum resources during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.