A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday rejected an application by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, seeking to be joined as a defendant in an alleged N450m fraud case in Nigeria.
Justice Rilwan Aikawa who rejected the application, described it as bizarre and a misuse of court processes, stressing that he would not allow himself to be used to frustrate Diezani’s imminent trial in the United Kingdom, where she is currently under investigation and on bail.
The judge declined all of Diezani’s prayers, including an order mandating the Attorney General of the Federation to facilitate her return from the UK, where is currently being investigated for alleged fraud by the Metropolitan Police.
Diezani had on Monday, moved the Court to issue an order, listing her as a party to a N450 million fraud charge involving a Senior Advocate of Nigeria Dele Belgore.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Belgore together with a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, on a five-count charge bordering on N450 million fraud.
The EFCC had named the former petroleum minister as an accomplice in the criminal trial of the duo.
- Daily Trust
