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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that the
process for extraditing former Minister of Petroleum, Deziani
Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom has begun.
The acting spokesman of the commission, Tony Orilade, disclosed this in an
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
There have been calls from different quarters for the extradition of the
former minister over several allegations of impropriety against her.
According to Mr Orilade, EFCC’s Operations Department has made
presentation to the Legal Department to commence the process, and that
process has commenced.
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.
Granting the application, the judge had said: “I have read the motion on
notice seeking the final forfeiture of the sum of N7.6 billion reasonably
suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
“I have also gone through the affidavit in support of the application.
“In the circumstances, I am of the view that the application has merit and
is hereby granted as prayed. Parties have a right of appeal.”
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 Mrs Allison-Madueke back home to face trial.
Mrs Allison-Madueke, who is being investigated in the UK, had urged the
federal government to bring her back to the country to face corruption
charges against her.
But, Mr Malami said that bringing her back to the country would jeopardise
the investigation being carried on her in the UK.
“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.
The EFCC spokesman could not, however, say the point at which it became
necessary to seek extradition of the former minister. (NAN)