Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Monday reaffirmed the determination of the commission to extradite former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Mr Magu told newsmen at a news conference in Abuja that the commission could not “wait endlessly” to prosecute the former minister on several allegations of impropriety against her while in office.
Mr Alison-Madueke has been in the United Kingdom since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration ended in 2015.
Acting Spokesman of EFCC, Tony Orilade, had told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that the process for the extradition of Alison-Madueke from UK had commenced.
He said that operations department of the commission briefed the legal department to commence the process through office of the attorney-general of the federation.
“It is ongoing; within the next few weeks, the extent to which we have gone will be made known to the public.
“It is not a fresh case; it is not a fresh petition that is just being looked into; the whole process is a total package.
“This extradition is just an aspect of Diezani’s investigation and commencement of trial,” he said.
Magu said, “We know she is not being tried there; we are tired of waiting; that is why if they cannot prosecute her, we can prosecute her here.
“There is no prosecution going on there. We are involved in the investigation in this country and outside the country.
“We have worked together; we had started together. We cannot wait endlessly; in three years and above, it is sufficient, and that is why I said, let’s initiate the extradition so that she faces the law.”
On why he is still functioning in an acting capacity, Magu said: “I think if people are in a hurry to get confirmed, it means you are not working; you are not doing what is required.
“If you are busy lobbying for confirmation, you will not be fair and balance in the discharge of your duties.
“I am not worried that I am still not confirmed since three years as substantive chairman of the commission. Everybody is aware that I am working here.
“Just get the work done.”
The Senate had twice rejected the confirmation of Magu as substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency.
