EFCC cannot solely execute Diezani’s extradition—Spokesman

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that although the process to extradite the former minister of petroleum, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom had begun, the action has to be processed through the office of the attorney general of the federation.

The commission’s acting spokesman, Mr. Tony Orilade, who stated this in an interview in Abuja explained that extraditing the former minister is not something the agency could start and conclude on its own.

NewsGazette had earlier reported that the commission had concluded the investigation of Alison-Madueke and was making moves to see to her extradition from London.

It also reported that the EFCC is to approach attorney general of the federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami with a request to file charges against her based on its findings.

“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 request to have Mrs. Alison-Madueke repatriated to Nigeria is just an aspect of Diezani’s investigation and commencement of trial,” said Orilade.

As part of its investigation, the EFCC had traced N47.2 billion and $487.5million to the ex-minister, it was gathered.

Besides, about N23, 446,300,000 and $5 million (about N1.5billion) had been located in various Nigerian banks.

But only about $37.5 million Banana Island property has been finally forfeited by the former minister.

Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the final forfeiture of the property.

More than 50 suspects in some of the cases linked with her have been arraigned in court, especially the alleged N23.29billion 2015 poll bribe.

The EFCC review team felt it will be “in the interest of justice to extradite the ex-minister to Nigeria for trial”. She is believed to be in Britain.

Some of the investigated allegations against the ex-Minister, with substantial evidence, include release of $1.3b NNPC cash to the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) in 2014 to fight kidnapping in Niger Delta; whereabouts of $18.5billion earnings by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); $15.8billion NLNG dividends  between 2000 and 2014( especially about $9b component between 2010 and 2015); $1.7billion oil contracts involving Alison-Madueke and two business associates; N23.29b 2015 poll bribery scam; $37.5m property on Banana Island; and acquisition of many properties at home, in Britain, and in the UAE.

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