Retired Rear Admiral Alison Madueke has urged the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere to stop his ex-wife and former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke from using his surname.
He has requested that the court order Diezani to revert to her maiden name, Diezani Kogbeni Agama, and to publicly announce this change in newspapers in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The petition, lodged under suit number LD/15144HD/2024, claims that Diezani’s continued use of his name poses significant legal and financial risks to him due to her ongoing criminal trials in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to Mr Madueke, they stopped living together in May 2015 following her ministerial appointment.
Diezani later filed for divorce in November 2021, which was finalized on April 13, 2022, by Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya at the High Court of Nassarawa State, Mararaba Gurku Judicial Division.
The former naval chief expressed that the ongoing association of Diezani with his name is causing embarrassment and damage to his reputation and public image.
Despite the legal dissolution of their marriage, Diezani continues to use his name without justification or consent, creating a false impression of an ongoing relationship.
Also, Madueke stated that he had instructed his solicitors, Messrs Foundation Chambers, to send a formal letter to Diezani on December 14, 2023, requesting her to cease using his name and revert to her maiden name.
The petition seeks to enforce this change formally and to ensure public notification of her name reversion.
