The Economy and Financial Crimes Commission has hailed the arraignment of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke in a United Kingdom court.
PUNCH METRO reported that Diezani was arraigned on charges of an alleged £100,000 bribe.
The district Judge Michael Snow granted her £70,000 bail with conditions, including an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, mandatory electronic tagging, and a £70,000 surety to be paid before leaving the court.
While reacting to the development, the EFCC, in a press statement through its Ag. Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated that the anti-graft body welcome the development with ‘keen interest’.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, welcomes, with keen interest, the arraignment of a former Minister of petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke 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 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.”
