During the weekend, signs emerged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is considering joining forces with UK prosecutors as an interested party in the trial of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in a UK court.
Reports reveal that a team from the anti-graft commission is anticipated to arrive in London to kickstart this process through the submission of relevant documents.
A source familiar with the information stated that the EFCC plans to share its findings and the Abuja high court’s forfeiture order on Diezani’s $2.5 million properties and vehicles with the UK court.
The source indicated that this country may face challenges in retrieving questionable assets from Diezani if the EFCC does not file an application as an interested party, and they were advised to cooperate with Diezani's trial in the UK.
In another case, a former chairman of EFCC confirmed that the commission recovered $153 million and secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $ 80 million. The allegations against Diezani by the EFCC border on the alleged stealing of about $2.5 billion from Nigeria’s coffers as a minister.” the source said.
The source emphasized the importance of Nigeria's participation in the occasion, as NCA provided evidence to the US Department of Justice in March 2023, leading to the recovery of assets valued at $53.1 million associated with Mrs. Alison-Madueke's alleged corruption.
Like in the P&ID case, the EFCC has substantial evidence to prosecute Diezani and aims to reclaim all stolen, diverted, and questionable assets for the benefit of Nigeria's citizens.
