The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained an arrest warrant and begun the extradition process for former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom to Nigeria.
The EFCC said in a statement on Monday that it had obtained the arrest warrant and initiated extradition proceedings following Alison-Madueke’s arraignment in the Westminster Magistrates Court in London over an alleged £100,000 bribe.
The commission said it was confident that Alison-Madueke would be extradited to Nigeria to face the 13-count charges of money laundering levelled against her.
The EFCC also revealed that the money laundering charges for which Alison-Madueke is answerable to the commission cover jurisdictions in Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Nigeria.
The commission said it was working closely with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to bring Alison-Madueke to justice.
The NCA said in a statement that Alison-Madueke “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.”
The NCA also said that it had provided evidence to the US Department of Justice that enabled them to recover assets totalling USD $53.1 million linked to Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.
The extradition of Alison-Madueke would be a major victory for the EFCC and a sign that Nigeria is serious about fighting corruption.
