The arraignment of former petroleum resources minister Diezani Alison-Madueke at the Westminster Magistrate’s Court in London, United Kingdom, on charges of alleged bribery, has been welcomed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Diezani made her appearance in court on Monday, where she did not enter a plea. Nevertheless, the court granted her bail amounting to 70,000 pounds, alongside an obligation to wear an electronic tag continuously. Additionally, District Judge Michael Snow imposed a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Regarding this development, Dele Oyewale, the acting spokesman for the EFCC, remarked in a statement that Diezani will soon face legal proceedings in Nigerian courts.
Oyewale said, “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 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.”
UK prosecutor Andy Young said Diezani allegedly received 100,000 pounds ($121,620) in cash which was to be used for payment of private school fees for her son, and to refurbish several luxurious properties in the UK.
Diezani has not been in Nigeria since she left in 2015.
