An arrest warrant has been obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the united kingdom, back to Nigeria, to face 13-count charges relating to money laundering brought against her by the anti-graft department.
The commission further revealed that the money laundering charges for which Alison-Madueke is answerable to the EFCC cover jurisdictions in Dubai – the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Nigeria.
The former minister was present before the Westminster Magistrates Court in London over an alleged £100,000 bribe charge.
District Judge Michael Snow granted Alison Madueke bail of £70,000 and ordered her to be banned from leaving the house between 11pm and 6am, wear an electronic tag at all times and be given £70,000 bail before leaving the country. Conditions such as payment were imposed on the former minister. court.
Britain’s National Crime Agency announced in August that Alison-Madueke was suspected of accepting bribes in exchange for the award of oil and gas contracts worth millions of pounds.
A federal government official who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said that informal inter-agency collaboration between the EFCC and the UK NCA has led to the ongoing trial of Alison Madueke at Westminster Magistrates Court in London. It was revealed that they were connected.
It was revealed that informal inter-agency collaboration between the EFCC and the UK NCA has led to the ongoing trial of Alison Madueke at Westminster Magistrates Court in London. It was revealed that they were connected.
The former Minister of Petroleum Resources served from 2010 to 2015 during the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan left the country shortly before handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
The EFCC confirmed that the former minister stole $2.5 billion from the Nigerian government during his tenure as minister.
In a communication received by our correspondent on Monday, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, welcomed the prosecution of Alison Madueke in the UK and said the EFCC is seeking to bring the former minister to justice in Nigeria. He said charges were being filed, an arrest warrant had been obtained and extradition proceedings had begun.
“The EFCC welcomes, with keen interest, the arraignment of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, at the Westminister’s Court in London, United Kingdom, following alleged bribery allegations.
“Although the charges preferred against her at the London court are diametrically different from the 13-count charges bordering on money laundering the EFCC has raised against her, it is instructive to note that criminality is criminality, irrespective of jurisdictional differences. No crime can go unpunished. The money laundering charges for which Madueke is answerable to the EFCC, cover jurisdictions in Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Nigeria.
“To bring the former minister to trial in Nigeria, an arrest warrant has been obtained and extradition proceedings have been initiated. The Commission is on course on her trial. She will soon have her day in our courts,”said Oyawale.
In a statement published on its website, the NCA said Diezani “is alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.
Her charges also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.”
In March 2023, the NCA also submitted evidence to the U.S. Department of Justice enabling the recovery of assets totaling $53.1 million related to Mr. Diezani’s corruption allegations.
Statement from Head of the NCA’s international corruption unit, Andy Kelly, said the “charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation. Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries. We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat.”
