Admiral Alison Amaechina Madueke has petitioned the Lagos State High Court to legally end his marriage to Diezani Alison-Madueke and to request that she stop using his first and last name.
In his petition, Madueke asked the court to instruct the former Minister of Petroleum Resources to revert to her maiden name, Agama.
The ex-chief of Naval Staff argues that Diezani’s continued use of his name, despite their marriage being legally over, damages his reputation and could cause unintended consequences, including mistaken liability due to the corruption allegations against her.
Madueke, a former military governor of Anambra and Imo states, married Diezani on June 30, 1999.
He noted that Diezani had filed for divorce at the Nassarawa State High Court in Mararaba Gurku in November 2021, citing irreconcilable differences and seeking to formally end their marriage.
Madueke did not oppose the suit, which led to the court dissolving the marriage, yet Diezani continues to use his surname despite the formal termination of their marital union.
He stated, “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 grounds that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
“This dissolution of marriage has now become absolute by the operation of law.
“Even 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) 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 revealed that he instructed his legal representatives to serve Diezani a formal request on December 14, 2023, demanding that she cease using his surname and revert to her maiden name, Agama. Despite this legal notice, Diezani has failed to respond and continues to use his name.
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