The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has stated that it has
initiated the extradition process of the former minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom UK.
The Commission also said it has obtained an arrest warrant for her.
CRUX NEWS recalls that the former minister had on Monday, appeared before the Westminster Magistrates Court in London, over an alleged £100,000 bribe.
The district judge, Michael Snow, granted Diezani bail of £70,000 and further imposed other terms on her including an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a £70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.
Reacting to this in a statement issued by its acting head media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said it “welcomes, with keen interest, the arraignment of a former minister of Petroleum Resources 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, United Kingdom, United States of America and Nigeria.
“To bring her to trial in Nigeria, an arrest warrant has been obtained and extradition proceedings have been initiated. The Commission is on course for her trial. She will soon have her day in our courts.”
Alison-Madueke, 63, served as petroleum minister during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015 and also acted as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
