Retired Rear Admiral Alison Madueke has taken legal action to prevent his ex-wife and former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from using his surname. In a petition for jactitation of marriage, which seeks a declaration that their marital union has ended, the ex-Chief of Naval Staff has requested the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere to order Diezani to revert to her maiden surname of Agama. This legal move comes as Rear Admiral Madueke expressed concerns about the potential harm and mistaken liability that could arise from Diezani’s continued use of his name, particularly in light of the corruption allegations she faces.
The petitioner emphasized that their marriage, which took place on June 30, 1999, under the Marriage Act, ended in May 2015, and was legally dissolved in April 2022. Despite the dissolution, Diezani has allegedly continued to use the name “Alison Madueke,” particularly during her tenure as a minister under the Jonathan Administration from 2010 to 2015. Rear Admiral Madueke’s legal representatives have formally requested Diezani to cease using his names and revert to her pre-marital name, Agama, but she has not complied with this request.
The petitioner’s concerns are compounded by the ongoing criminal trials faced by Diezani in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, including allegations of corruption and financial misconduct. Rear Admiral Madueke has highlighted the potential legal and financial risks he faces due to Diezani’s use of his name, which could lead to mistaken liability or implicate him in these legal issues. As a result, he has sought the intervention of the court to safeguard his image, personality, and reputation by preventing Diezani from further using his first name and surname.
In his petition, Rear Admiral Madueke has requested an order of perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from using his names following the dissolution of their marriage. Additionally, he has sought a perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from asserting, by words or conduct, the existence of a marriage between them. Furthermore, he has requested an order directing Diezani to adopt and revert to her pre-marital surname (Agama) and to publish in a national newspaper in both Nigeria and the UK that she has stopped using Alison Madueke.
This legal action underscores the complexities and implications of personal and public associations, particularly in the context of high-profile individuals facing legal challenges. The request for a court order to prevent the use of a former spouse’s name reflects the potential impact of such associations on the reputation and legal standing of individuals, especially in cases involving public figures and ongoing legal proceedings.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the court will address the petitioner’s concerns and the implications of Diezani’s continued use of his name. The outcome of this legal action could have broader implications for the rights and responsibilities of individuals in managing their personal and public identities, particularly in the aftermath of marital dissolution and in the context of legal challenges faced by public figures.
The legal petition filed by Rear Admiral Alison Madueke highlights the complexities and potential consequences of personal associations, particularly in the context of ongoing legal proceedings and public scrutiny. The request for a court order to prevent the use of his name by his ex-wife underscores the significance of personal and public identities, especially in cases involving high-profile individuals and legal challenges. As the legal process unfolds, it will be essential to consider the broader implications of this case for individuals’ rights and responsibilities in managing their personal and public identities.
