Magu: Why Diezani Must Be Extradited To Nigeria

By Hamilton Nwosa (Head, The New Diplomat’s Business and Poll Tracking Desk)

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has again emphasized the need, and urgency to extradite former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria to continue her trial, stating that “she stole too much” from the country’s coffers.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, Magu alleged that Alison-Madueke stole not less than $2.5 billion. The former Minister has been in the UK since 2015, shortly before the onset of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

According to the EFCC boss, the agency had started a process to extradite her in November 2018, but that the commission has been having challenges effecting the former minister’s extradition.

He said: “I was in London this year, we did investigation together with the UK team, and anywhere I go I always call for extradition of corrupt Nigerians to return back the money.

“This woman has stolen so much, not less than 2.5 billion dollars, but unfortunately she has generation of looters who are supporting her. This is not good.

“We are in touch with the international community, she is under protective custody, otherwise, we would have arrested her, return her to Nigeria.

“We will not allow corruption to work here in Nigeria because it is destructive and disastrous. We blocked several accounts”.

In 2017, a federal high court in Lagos ordered the forfeiture of N7.6 billion allegedly linked to her to the federal government.

Recall that Alison-Madueke who was Petroleum Resources Minister under the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan has been facing credibility crisis, and allegations of massive corruption after her exit from Office. Among several issues, she was alleged to have connived with some industry cowboys, and emergency briefcase contractors including controversial businessmen Jide Omokore, and Kola Aluko.

Recall that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had recently taken possession of Cedar Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Limited over a N29 billion debt owned by Diezani’s ally, controversial Jide Omokore. AMCON said it took over the oil firm owned by Omokore in compliance with a court order issued by Justice C.J Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division in December.

Accordingly, a new manager/receiver has been appointed by AMCON who is now in possession of the company’s assets which includes; Block A, No. 46 Gerrard Road, Ikoyi Lagos State, comprising of 26 flats; Plot 1236, River Niger Street, off River Benue Street, Maitama, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; as well as Marion Apartment, Block 8, No. 4 & 5, Onikoyi Estate, Banana Island, Lagos State, consisting of 43 units of apartments. AMCON is also in possession of No. 33A, Cooper Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State; No. 8, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State as well as Manson Apartments, No. 6, Gerrard Road, Lagos State comprising of 60 units of three-bedroom apartments.

Justice Aneke issued the court injunction after Omokore and other Cedar Oil & Gas’ directors; Isiaka Muhammed, Joseph Bazuaye, Silas Ode failed to pay their admitted sum of over N15 billion out of the total outstanding indebtedness of N29billion owed to the recovery agency of the federal republic of Nigeria. AMCON’s Head of Communication, Jude Nwauzor who had confirmed the asset takeover said they were only obeying a court order.

But for Diezani herself, it has been a long road. While the EFCC has been closing in some of her alleged business allies like Omokore, extraditing her, according to the EFCC, has been a long difficult and challenging road.