Diezani Alison-Madueke has been ordered by a Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja to find her way back to the country as soon as possible for trial on charges of money laundering brought against her by the EFCC.
A Channels TV report says that the order was given by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in a ruling on an ex parte application that was moved by the anti-graft agency’s lawyer, Mr. Faruk Abdullah.
The judge ordered that the defendant who had allegedly escaped to the United Kingdom (UK) after her party lost power in 2015, appears before the court on 13 charges count centred on money laundering of the amounts of $39.7 million and 3.32 billion Naira as proceeds from corrupt activities.
In her ruling, Justice Ojukwu further directed that summons be published visibly and conspicuously on websites of the EFCC and national dailies. She then adjourned the case to the 28th of October for the defendant to make an appearance.
In the agency’s application, it said that had made futile efforts to question the former minister on her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The EFCC in its case also said that it sought to question Diezani on her role in “the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited.”
Additionally, they are making inquests into the former power lady’s business dealings with the likes of Mr. Donald Amamgbo, Mr. lgho Sanomi, Mr. Afam Nwokedi, Chief lkpea Leemon, Miss Olatimbo Bukola Ayinde, Mr. Benedict Peters, Christopher Aire, Harcourt Adukeh, Julian Osula, Dauda Lawal, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Mr. Leno Laithan, Sahara Energy Group and Midwestern Oil Limited.
Attached also is the needed to question the former minister of petroleum for “her role in financing the 2015 general elections, particularly the money that were warehoused at Fidelity Bank Plc in 20015 prior to the elections.”
The Nigerian anti-graft agency also said that it would want Diezani to speak on a number of things, documents and jewelleries recovered from her house at No: 10 Chiluba Close off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja, and some identified properties that are linked to her’ In Nigeria, UK, United States of America (USA), United Arab Emirate (UAE) and South Africa.
