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How Nasarawa Court Dissolved Diezani’s Marriage
Details have emerged on how a high court in Nasarawa State dissolved the marriage between a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison Madueke, and her husband, Admiral Alison Amaechina Maduekwe.
Maduekwe, a former Chief of Naval Staff, had filed a petition at the Lagos State High Court on July 2, 2024 seeking a legal declaration to end his marriage to Diezani and requesting that she stopped using his last name.
He asked the court to order the former petroleum resources minister to revert to her maiden name, Agama, adding that Diezani’s continued use of his name despite their marriage being legally dissolved was damaging his reputation and could lead to unintended liability, given the existing corruption allegations against her.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the former minister had on November 26, 2021 filed a divorce suit at a high court in Mararaba Gurku, Nasarawa State, pleading the court to dissolve her marriage with Admiral Maduekwe.
The ex-minister, in her petition to the court in 2021, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent in Nasarawa State, said she was seeking a divorce on the grounds that their marriage had broken down irretrievably.
The petition stated: “On the grounds that the marriage has broken down irretrievably and by virtue of the fact that the petitioner and the respondent have lived apart for a continuous period of over three years immediately preceding the presentation of this petition, and that the Respondent has not lived together with the petitioner for a continuous period of over one year preceding the presentation of this petition.
“The petitioner, Diezani Alison Maduekwe, whose is at No 2, Wale Olateju Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos, Lagos State, and who is an Architect by occupation, hereby petitions the court for a decree of dissolution of marriage against the respondent whose address is No 2, Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos, Lagos State, and who is a marine consultant by occupation.
“The petitioner, then a spinster, was lawfully married to the respondent at the federal marriage registry, Lagos State on the 30th June, 1999, according to the provisions of the Marriage Act, and that both were of marriageable age.”
The petition further stated that Diezani Alison Maduekwe, the petitioner, was born in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State in 1960 while the respondent, Admiral Alison Amaechina Maduekwe, was born at Inyi, Enugu State in 1944.
The ex-minister further told the court that she and her husband ceased to cohabit since May 2015, and that the marriage had broken down irretrievably as both parties had lost interest in it completely.
She added that the marriage produced only one child, a son by name Chimezie Maduekwe, who was 20 years old at the time of the petition.
The facts relied upon by the ex-minister that the marriage has broken down irretrievably are “that the petitioner left Nigeria for London in May 2015 for medical treatment and has been there since then, that the petitioner has lived apart with the respondent for more than two years that she has been undergoing treatment in London and preceding the presentation of this petition.
“The petitioner has not condoned or connived at presenting the grounds specified above and is not guilty of collusion in the presentation of this petition,” the grounds read.
The petitioner was represented by Abdulaziz Ibrahim Esq of K. T. Turakiband Co.
The documents sighted by our correspondent showed all verifying affidavit in support of petition, the certificate relating to reconciliation form 3, the certificate of pre-action counseling as well as acknowledgement of service on Admiral Alison Amaechina Maduekwe, and the petitions witness statement on oath.
Although Admiral Alison Amaechina Maduekwe was dully served, he did not appear or send any representative during the life span of the case at Mararaba High Court, Gurku, Nasarawa State.
However, our correspondent gathered that on Tuesday, 15th March 2023, Justice A. A Ozegya, in a suit No NSD/MG345/2021, entered judgment in favour of the petitioner, dissolving the judgment.
Part of the judgment reads: “After listening to the counsel adopting the testimonies of the petitioner vide an affidavit evidence under section 107 of the Evidence Act, this court would have no further hesitation to make in this matter but to enter final judgment in matter as per paragraph 10 of the petition as the respondent has stated not to contest the petition.
“In view of the above, this court hereby enters final judgment in favour of the petitioner to wit: Dissolving the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent on the grounds that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.”
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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