The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, NCA has revealed that it started investigating the former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke in 2013. This was contrary to the insinuation going round that her investigation and subsequent arrest was as a result of President Muhammadu Buharis’ meeting with the British Prime Minister, David Cameron and other world leaders.
She was arrested in London as part of an investigation into suspected bribery and money laundering offences. Mrs Alison-Madueke was, however, granted bail but her passport was withheld by the British authorities, pending further investigations, both in the UK , Nigeria and other countries.
In an update on its website, the NCA noted that the investigation started about two years ago. “The investigation commenced in 2013 under the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year (2015). The International Corruption Unit investigates bribery of foreign public officials by individuals or companies from the UK and money laundering by corrupt foreign officials and their associates,” it stated.
The UK crime agency added that the ICU would also trace and recover the proceeds of Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption and support Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies with international anti-corruption investigations.
Indications have emerged that a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke, arrested and released in the United Kingdom on money laundering allegations, may be charged to court, this week.
It was also revealed that beside the four arrested with her in London, The EFCC in cooperation with the British NCA will be making more arrest in connection with the case. According to Vanguard, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives, who raided the Abuja home of Allison-Madueke, just at about the time of her arrest in the UK, on Friday, reportedly recovered cash running into millions of Naira.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of a UK-based group, Security in Africa, Mr. Ben Oguntala, told SUNDAY PUNCHthat the arrest and possible prosecution of Alison-Madueke would only scratch the problem of corruption in Nigeria at its surface.
He said, “To have a simple Police Unit in the UK bring up partial evidence of corruption against a former minister is barely scratching the surface. You cannot fight corruption in this manner; it is far too complicated for ordinary corruption prosecution.
“What would have made this case extraordinary would be if Mrs. Madueke decides to reveal all. However, she is unlikely to do that, if your strategy is to arrest her first, embarrass her and drag her through the UK courts with little or insufficient evidence. Now, she will get a good lawyer and make the process the lengthiest as legally permissible.”
According to Oguntala, what President Buhari needs to do is not to allow a UK-led corruption charges. He noted that the British government’s approach at fighting corruption cases emanating from Nigeria is putting the cart before the horse.
