EFCC Commences Diezani’s Extradition Procedure, Obtains Arrest Warrant

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has gotten an arrest warrant as it commences the extradition process of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom back to Nigeria, to face the 13-count charges centering on money laundering levelled against her by the anti-graft agency.

The commission further disclosed 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.

Recall that Diezani was the Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Shortly before Jonathan handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, she left the country.

The EFCC alleged that the former minister stole $2.5 billion from the Nigerian government while she was a minister.

In a correspondence, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, while welcoming Allison-Madueke’s arraignment in the UK, revealed that the EFCC in order to bring the former minister to trial in Nigeria, had gotten an arrest warrant and initiated extradition proceedings.

Oyewale said, “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.”

In a statement earlier published on its website, the NCA disclosed that 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 such as 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.