By Louis Achi
Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum, has now been put in custody in a police cell in a London, Westminster Court after a magistrate sprung a surprise on her by revoking the initial bail granted her during a pre-trial hearing on corruption.
From TheNewDiplomat checks, the court has asked her to put forward a bail bond of $85,000 (N85m) after the magistrate said that she has become a flight risk ahead of her trial on a six-count charge of corruption.
Alison-Madueke who denies the charges had appeared at about 10.00 a.m. on what was expected to be a routine hearing at the Westminster Magistrate Court ahead of the hearing smiling and cheerful in her designer suit and a brown beret.
However, her smiles soon faded away after the magistrate revoked her initial bail on self-recognisance which she has enjoyed since 2015 on the ground that she could be a flight risk given that her trial will commence later in October.
Deziani is charged with accepting bribes for the award of oil contracts including a $120,000 cash gift among other perks from high-end shops such as Harrods.
She initially offered $60,000 which was turned down by the magistrate during the recess. She subsequently upped it to $85,000 which the magistrate has now accepted.
The former minister is now in a police holding cell in the Westminster Court pending when she is able to provide the money for bail which associates are hopeful will not be a problem.
