By Ken Afor
Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister who currently resides in the United Kingdom, has undergone a profound transformation and embraced the path of a devout Christian.
In a remarkable display of remorse, she has openly acknowledged and repented for her actions during her tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum.
During a recent press briefing in London, Madueke revealed her actions by stating that she had handed over a staggering $9 billion to the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.
It would be recalled, Madueke held the position of petroleum minister during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
It is believed that the individual, who was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has left the country and sought refuge in the United Kingdom due to concerns about her potential arrest by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Diezani, who is reportedly fighting cancer, is currently urging the Nigerian government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to grant her permission to come back to the country and admit her financial misconduct during her tenure in office.
SaharaReporters reported that Madueke, who has been accused of embezzling billions of dollars from Nigeria, has expressed her readiness to furnish comprehensive details regarding the funds she purportedly misappropriated during her tenure.
“I am now a born-again Christian and currently grappling with the second stage of cancer, for which my United Kingdom-based physician has advised me to continue medication for the rest of my life. Yes, no one is flawless, but sometimes, God Almighty permits such occurrences.
“I’ve been accused of financial misconduct during my tenure as the petroleum minister, and it’s true. However, I would like President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to forgive me, allow me to return home, and contribute because life is transient,” the former Minister reportedly said.
Madueke went on to elaborate on her association with the current governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal Dare, who previously held the position of Executive Director at First Bank Nigeria PLC.
She emphasized that she had entrusted Lawal with an astonishing amount exceeding $9 billion for safekeeping.
She said, “My husband and my entire family members, including my Nigeria lawyer based in the United Kingdom, knew my relationship with Dauda Lawal Dare, the current Zamfara State governor to whom I entrusted over $9 billion for safekeeping while he was the Executive Director of the First Bank Nigeria PLC.
“Unfortunately, it has now come to a point that Mr Dauda Lawal is no longer picking up my phone calls and even worked in Collaboration with UK police to put me under Surveillance, maybe to claim the money I entrusted to him when I die.”
Meanwhile, Madueke is currently standing trial in the UK for corruption.
It would be recalled in October 2, Alison-Madueke appeared at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court following charges of corruption levelled against her by prosecutors in UK.
The former Petroleum Minister and a one-time president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was charged with receiving bribes in the form of cash – £100,000, luxury goods, flights on private jets and the use of high-end properties in Britain in return for awarding oil contracts during her time as minister.
According to her prosecutors at the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit in the UK, “Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.
“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.”
Alison-Madueke allegedly received financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.
According to the NCA, assets worth millions of pounds in relation to the case have been frozen as part of the investigation.
