The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has applauded the arraignment of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, at the Westminister’s Court in London, United Kingdom, over alleged bribery allegations.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Alison-Madueke was charged to court in London on Monday for receiving bribes in the form of cash, luxury goods, flights on private jets and the use of high-end properties in Britain in return for awarding oil contracts to the tune of £100,000, but she was granted a £70,000 bail.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015, during the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan has been in London for the last eight years.
She gave her name, date of birth, and address during her appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court.
Although she did not submit a formal plea, her attorney, Mark Bowen, indicated to the court that she would plead not guilty, according to Reuters.
Her next court appearance will be on October 30 at Southwark Crown Court, which handles serious criminal charges.
Reacting to the arraignment, EFCC in a statement issued by its Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said that the charges preferred against the former minister at the London court were diametrically different from the 13-count charges bordering on money laundering the Commission raised against her, and that she would soon have her day in Nigeria’s courts.
The statement read, “The 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.”
