There were indications over the weekend that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission intends to collaborate with United Kingdom prosecutors as a concerned party in the trial of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in a UK court.
A group from the anti-graft commission is set to go to London to start this process by submitting relevant documents, according to the Nation.
According to a source familiar with the information, the EFCC plans to share its findings and the Abuja high court’s order to confiscate Diezani’s $2.5 million properties and vehicles with the UK court.
“This country might not be able to recover suspicious assets from Diezani if the EFCC does not submit an application as a concerned party. We have been advised about this significant turn in Diezani’s trial and we will be involved in the case in the UK. A team will depart for London soon to explore legal opportunities and file necessary papers as a concerned party.
“The overall goal is for Nigeria to benefit from Diezani’s trial, especially the recovery of all assets connected to funds stolen in this country. The EFCC has enough evidence against Diezani, including a court order on the former minister’s $2.5 million homes and cars.
“In another instance, a former chairman of EFCC confirmed that the commission recovered $153 million and secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $ 80 million. The allegations against Diezani by the EFCC relate to the alleged embezzlement of about $2.5 billion from Nigeria’s coffers during her time as a minister,” the source said.
The source added, “It is crucial for this country to respond effectively because, in March 2023, the NCA also provided evidence to the US Department of Justice that enabled them to recover assets totalling $53.1 million linked to Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.
“Similar to the P&ID case, the EFCC has enough evidence to succeed in a case against Diezani. We want all stolen, diverted, and dubious assets returned to the control of Nigeria for the benefit of our citizens. I believe the EFCC is collaborating with the NCA in the UK on this.
“It is also unclear whether the UK court will request Diezani to return to Nigeria to serve prison sentences if found guilty. This is why we also need to be a concerned party in the case in the UK.”
Last year, the Head of the NCA’s international corruption unit, Andy Kelly, stated that the “charges are a significant development in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation”.
“Bribery is a widespread form of corruption, which facilitates serious criminal activity and can have devastating consequences for developing countries.
“We will continue to collaborate with partners here and overseas to combat the threat.”
Diezani is currently on trial at the Southwark Crown Court in the UK over an alleged £100,000 bribe.
The National Crime Agency alleged that Diezani could have received benefits worth at least £100,000, including cash, chauffeured cars, private jet flights, luxury family vacations, and multiple London properties.
On October 2, 2023, a Magistrate Court approved a bail of £70,000 for the former Minister, deeming her a potential risk to escape.
The legal proceedings for Diezani’s case are set to start in November 2025.
In October 2023, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, presented a warrant of arrest and request to the Crown Prosecution Services of the United Kingdom for the urgent extradition of a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke.
