The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reported that it has secured an arrest warrant and initiated extradition proceedings against former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Alison-Madueke recently appeared before the Westminster Magistrates Court in London on charges related to an alleged £100,000 bribe. District Judge Michael Snow granted her £70,000 bail and imposed several conditions, including an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, mandatory use of an electronic tag, and a requirement for a £70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court premises.
The Acting spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, expressed satisfaction in a statement, commending Alison-Madueke’s arraignment in the UK. He confirmed that the EFCC had obtained an arrest warrant and initiated the extradition process.
The EFCC’s statement reads, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, welcomes, with great interest, the arraignment of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, at the Westminster Court in London, United Kingdom, in relation to alleged bribery allegations.”
The statement also emphasizes that even though the charges in the London court differ from the 13-count charges related to money laundering that the EFCC has brought against her, criminal activity remains criminal, regardless of jurisdictional variances.
The EFCC further asserts that it is resolute in pursuing justice, as the money laundering charges against Madueke span multiple jurisdictions, including Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Nigeria.
