Ahead of the International Anticorruption Summit in the UK this week, a<\/p>\n
civil society group Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project
\n(SERAP) has called on the UK authorities to \u201cextradite Nigeria\u2019s former
\npetroleum minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke to face charges of
\ncorruption and money laundering, as the charges she is currently facing in
\nUK court do not sufficiently capture the gravity of her alleged crimes,
\nand the increasing allegations of corruption against her in Nigeria.\u201d<\/p>\n
The request followed announcement this week by the Central Bank of Nigeria
\nthat it was carrying out special investigations into the roles played by
\nbanks in certain financial transactions, especially the N23bn reportedly
\nshared to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission by
\nofficials of the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration to
\ninfluence the outcome of the last general elections.<\/p>\n
In a statement today by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the
\ngroup said, \u201cThe anticorruption summit in London provides an important
\nopportunity for the UK government to support the ongoing fight against
\ncorruption in Nigeria, and to send a powerful message that the UK will not
\nprovide sanctuary or condone impunity for corrupt public officials.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement reads in part: \u201cAs a state party to the UN Convention
\nagainst Corruption, the UK government can use the convention as a basis
\nfor the extradition of Mrs Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge the Nigerian authorities to without delay submit a request to the
\nUK authorities for the extradition of Mrs Alison-Madueke, explicitly
\nmaking the point that Nigeria will guarantee her a due process-trial.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the UK refuses extradition request, Nigeria should consider submitting
\nthe matter for arbitration and if this cannot resolve the case, refer it
\nto the International Court of Justice for adjudication. The Nigerian
\nauthorities should also consider filing a civil action against Mrs
\nAlison-Madueke in the UK court.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBy sending Mrs Alison-Madueke back to her country, the UK will be sending
\na message that high-level official corruption will not go unpunished no
\nmatter where the suspected perpetrator hides and thus contribute to the
\nfight against impunity for grand corruption. The UK indeed has an
\nobligation to extradite Mrs Alison-Madueke through international
\ncooperation and collaboration in good faith with Nigeria.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that effective prosecution in Nigeria is feasible, and this
\nwill bring justice closer to Nigerians who are direct victims of
\ncorruption. Extraditing Mrs Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria is equally
\nimportant for allowing easier access to witnesses, evidence, victims of
\ncorruption; creating a deep connection between Nigerians and the impact of
\nthe trial; and empowering victims of corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSERAP believes that there is probable cause that Mrs Alison-Madueke
\nparticipated in the extraditable acts involving some banks in Nigeria,
\nwhether directly or indirectly. The allegations of corruption against her
\nare strong enough for Prime Minister David Cameron to facilitate an
\nextradition proceeding.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UK shouldn\u2019t be a country of refuge for corrupt officials if it is to
\navoid a miscarriage of justice in high-level corruption cases. But if Mrs
\nAlison-Madueke is not extradited, the UK will have a responsibility to
\namend her charges to include the fresh allegations against her and to try
\nher on the merits under the UK laws as if she had committed the crimes
\nthere.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Cameron risks missing an \u2018open goal\u2019 unless he shows that the UK is
\nunreservedly committed to seeking justice for victims of corruption, and
\ninternational cooperation in the fight against corruption by urgently
\nfacilitating the extradition of Mrs Alison-Madueke to Nigeria so that she
\ncan explain her role in the continuing disclosure of allegations of
\ncorruption and money laundering involving several Nigerian banks which
\nallegedly took place during her time in office as petroleum minister.\u201d
\n\u201cSERAP is also concerned that UK banks continue to accept millions of
\npounds from corrupt Nigerian politicians. Without the complicity of these
\nbanks, it would be much harder for corrupt politicians including from
\nNigeria to loot public funds or accept bribes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, in order to meet the requirements of the UN Convention against
\nCorruption, Mr Cameron will need to do more to reform and crack down on
\nhis country\u2019s financial institutions that continue to provide safe havens
\nfor corrupt funds from Nigeria with almost absolute impunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also important for Mr Cameron to work towards improving judicial
\ncooperation between Nigeria and the UK if stolen assets stashed in the UK
\nare to be fully repatriated and if he is not to send a message that
\ncorrupt suspects can get away with their crimes without consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ahead of the International Anticorruption Summit in the UK this week, a civil society group Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the UK authorities to \u201cextradite Nigeria\u2019s…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49175,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n