Lagos, Nigeria – Retired Rear Admiral Alison Madueke has approached the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, seeking an injunction to stop his former wife, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from using his surname. The ex-Chief of Naval Staff filed a petition for jactitation of marriage, requesting a declaration that their marital union has ended and that Diezani revert to her maiden name, Agama.
Madueke’s petition asserts that Diezani’s continued use of his surname amid various corruption allegations is damaging to his reputation and could lead to mistaken liability. The retired naval officer, who has served as the military governor of Anambra and Imo states, married Diezani on June 30, 1999, under the Marriage Act. He contends that Diezani began gaining social and political recognition by virtue of their marriage, which produced one child.
According to the petition, Diezani adopted the name “Alison Madueke” when she became a minister under the Jonathan Administration from 2010 to 2015. Rear Admiral Madueke, represented by lawyers Chidi Ilogu (SAN), Dr. Nasiru Tijani, and Adedamola Kikiowo, stated that his cohabitation with Diezani ceased in May 2015 when she left her ministerial position and relocated to the United Kingdom. They have lived apart since then.
In November 2021, Diezani filed for the dissolution of their marriage at the High Court of Nassarawa State in Mararaba Gurku, citing an irretrievable breakdown of the union. Madueke did not contest the suit, and the court dissolved the marriage. However, Diezani has continued to use his surname despite the legal finalization of their divorce.
Madueke stated in his petition, “On April 13, 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. The said dissolution of marriage has now become absolute by operation of law.”
“Though the marriage has been dissolved and is now legally finalized, 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 added that he instructed his lawyers to write to Diezani, asking her to stop using his names and revert to her pre-marital name, Agama. Despite this, Diezani has neither responded nor ceased using the names.
“The respondent has continued to hold out herself as the wife of the petitioner even when the marriage has been dissolved. The respondent is undergoing criminal trials in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. 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,” Madueke stated.
He further argued that Diezani’s continued use of his names could lead to legal and financial harm, given the ongoing public allegations and trials concerning her alleged misconduct.
Madueke is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from further using his names following the dissolution of their marriage. He also requests a court order directing Diezani to adopt her pre-marital surname and to publish a notice in national newspapers in both Nigeria and the UK, stating that she has stopped using the name Alison Madueke.
