The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that it has secured an arrest warrant for the former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. Additionally, the commission has commenced extradition proceedings to bring her back from the UK,Daily Trust reports.
Earlier, the former minister had appeared before the Westminster Magistrates Court in London, facing allegations of a £100,000 bribe. District Judge Michael Snow granted her £70,000 bail and imposed several conditions, including an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, mandatory wearing of an electronic tag, and a £70,000 surety before leaving the court premises.
In a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, the acting head of media and publicity at EFCC, the commission expressed keen interest in Alison-Madueke’s arraignment in a London court on bribery charges. Despite the differing charges between the London court and the 13-count money laundering charges brought by EFCC, the commission emphasized that criminality knows no jurisdictional boundaries, and all crimes must be punished.
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The EFCC’s money laundering charges against Madueke span across multiple jurisdictions, including Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Nigeria. To ensure her trial in Nigeria, the commission has obtained an arrest warrant and initiated extradition proceedings, affirming their commitment to bringing her to justice.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, 63, held a significant role in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, serving as the petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 and acting as the president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
