The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has welcomed the arraignment of a former minister of petroleum resources Diezani Alison-Madueke at the Westminister Magistrate’s Court in London, United Kingdom over alleged bribery.
Diezani appeared in court on Monday. Although her plea was not taken, the court granted her bail of 70,000 pounds and ruled that she must wear an electronic tag at all times. District Judge Michael Snow also imposed an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
Speaking on the arraignment, EFCC’s acting spokesman Dele Oyewale said in a statement that Diezani would soon have her day in Nigerian courts.
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Oyewale said, “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, United Kingdom, 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.”
UK prosecutor Andy Young said Diezani allegedly received 100,000 pounds ($121,620) in cash which was to be used for payment of private school fees for her son, and to refurbish several luxurious properties in the UK.
Diezani has not been in Nigeria since she left in 2015.
