THE Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has written the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) requesting the extradition of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom (UK), where she is believed to be residing.
Lawyer with the EFCC Farouk Abdullahi stated this yesterday when he appeared before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja, where the ex-minister and some others were to be arraigned.
Abdulllahi told the court that the EFCC has written the AGF with a view to securing Diezani’s extradition to enable her face her trial, because she is still in the UK.
A copy of the letter, titled: “Letter of request to extradite Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom,” was said to have been received by the office of the AGF on December 14, 2018.
Part of the letter reads: “The commission recently filed charges against Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in both the Federal High Court (Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018) and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Charge No. CR/22/2018).
“The latter case came up on December 4, 2018, wherein the presiding judge (Honourable Justice Valentine B. Ashi) issued a warrant for her arrest to enable the commission apprehend and produce her to stand trial.
“In view of the foregoing, I humbly request the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), to make an extradition request to the relevant authority in the United Kingdom to initiate process of extraditing Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria to stand trial.”
Abdullahi made the disclosure to explain the absence of Diezani and others in court yesterday when the case came up before Justice Ashi.
Diezani and Jide Omokore, a former chairman, Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, were to be arraigned on charges relating to offences bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications.
They were alleged to have accepted and given gifts in properties located at Penthouse 22, Block B, Admiralty Estate, Ikoyi, and Penthouse 21, Building 5, Block C, Banana Island, Lagos. They are to be arraigned on February 25, 2019 on a five-count charge for the offences, which are contrary to Sections 26(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
On December 4, 2018, the court had ordered the EFCC and other security agencies to ensure that she is brought to court 72 hours after she returns to Nigeria, for her to face the fraud charges.
When parties got to court yesterday, Abdullahi said the prosecution was also yet to serve Omokore with the charge. He promised that Omokore would soon be served.
Justice Ashi subsequently adjourned to May 22, 2019 for arraignment.
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