EFCC Initiates Move To Extradite Ex-Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that it has set in motion the process for the extradition of former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom.

The acting public relation officer of the agency, Mr Tony Orilade, made this revelation in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

The EFCC has been under pressure to initiate the extradition process of the former minister over several allegations of impropriety and corruption against her.

He stated that the process was initiated after the Operation department of the agency made a presentation for the extradition of the former minister.

He, however, said that the action had to be processed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, explaining that it was not something the commission would commence and conclude on its own.

“It is ongoing. Within the next few weeks, the extent to which we have gone will be made known to the public.

“It is not a fresh case; it is not a fresh petition that is just being looked into; the whole process is a total package.

“This extradition is just an aspect of Deziani’s investigation and commencement of trial,” he said.

In 2017, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of N7.6 billion alleged loot recovered from the former minister to the Federal Government.

Justice Abdulazeez Anka granted an application by the EFCC seeking the final forfeiture of the money to the government.

In October, 2017, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had said that Nigeria had no immediate plan to bring Allison-Madueke back home to face trial.

Malami insisted that any plan to extradite the former petroleum Minister will jeopardize the investigation been carried out by the UK government.

“Steps have been taken by the United Kingdom authorities on issues bothering on corrupt practices involving Nigerians.

“If Nigeria feels strongly that there is need to bring Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke here to face charges of corruption, government will not hesitate to do that.

“As things stand now, there is no need for that since the UK Government is already investigating her,’’ he had said.