A Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja has ordered the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), the Division of State Providers (DSS) and different safety companies to arrest Diezani Alison-Madueke, the previous minister of petroleum, inside 72 hours.
In keeping with The Cable, the order was issued by Justice Valentine Ashi based mostly on a movement filed by the counsel to the EFCC, Msuur Denga.
Arrest Diezani in 72 hours – Court docket orders EFCC, SSS and Police
Denga had earlier prayed the court docket to concern a warrant for the previous minister’s arrest to allow the anti-graft company arraign her in court docket.
The EFCC investigated the previous minister together with Jide Omokore, a former Chairman, Atlantic Power Drilling Firm, following a petition dated October 2, 2013, from Coalition Towards Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, bordering on cash laundering and official corruption.
EFCC stated in a press release that investigations into the petition revealed that Mrs Alison-Madueke as supervising minister of the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company, was discovered to have engaged in illicit and monumental fraudulent dealings in oil transactions, which she entered into on behalf of the Federal Authorities.
Mrs Alison-Madueke and Mr Omokore are additionally alleged to have accepted and given items in properties situated at Penthouse 22, Block B, Admiralty Property, Ikoyi, and Penthouse 21, Constructing 5, Block C, Banana Island, Lagos.
They’re to be arraigned on February 25, 2019 on a five-count cost for the offences, that are opposite to Sections 26(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Act, 2000.
When the matter got here up on Monday the Fee nonetheless filed software for warrant of arrest, situation precedent for Mrs Alison-Madueke’s extradition protocol to convey her again residence to face path.
The prosecution informed the court docket that Mrs Alison-Madueke, who’s at present in the UK, jetted overseas whereas investigations into the alleged fraudulent acts had been ongoing.
The court docket as we speak, granted the ex parte movement, and ordered the safety companies to supply Mrs Alison-Madueke inside 72 hours, for her to face the cost most well-liked towards her.
“The Inspector General of Police, the Chairman of the EFCC, the Attorney General, the Department of State Services, are hereby ordered in the name of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria to apprehend and arrest the first defendant and produce her before this court for further directives within 72 hours,” the choose held.