$2.5bn fraud: EFCC to collaborate with UK prosecutors in Diezani’s case

Over the weekend, there were hints that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission intends to collaborate with UK prosecutors as an interested party in Diezani Alison-Madueke's trial as a former petroleum minister in a UK court.

According to The Nation, a delegation from the anti-graft commission is anticipated in London to start this procedure by submitting pertinent paperwork.

A person with knowledge of the matter has stated that the EFCC plans to provide the UK court with its findings as well as the forfeiture order issued by the Abuja High Court over Diezani's $2.5 million worth of properties and automobiles.

Should the EFCC fail to register as an interested party, this nation might not be able to obtain dubious assets from Diezani. We will be involved in the case in the UK and have received an advisory of this significant turn in Diezani's trial. A team is scheduled to go for London shortly to investigate potential legal avenues and submit required documentation as a concerned party.The ultimate goal of Diezani's trial is to help Nigeria, particularly with the return of any assets connected to money embezzled from this nation. With a court order pertaining to Diezani's $2.5 million residences and vehicles, the EFCC has more than enough evidence to convict the former minister.

In a different instance, a former EFCC chairman attested to the agency's recovery of $153 million and its successful acquisition of the ultimate forfeiture of more than 80 properties in Nigeria, worth at over $80 million. According to the source, Diezani is accused by the EFCC of embezzling over $2.5 billion from Nigeria's treasury while serving as a minister.

The insider went on, "This country must rise to the occasion because the NCA also sent the US Department of Justice evidence in March 2023 that allowed them to seize assets totaling $53.1 million connected to Mrs. Alison-Madueke's suspected misconduct.

"The EFCC has enough evidence to prove a case against Diezani, just like in the P&ID case. We want all assets that have been pilfered, misappropriated, or dubious returned to Nigeria for the benefit of its people.I believe that the UK's NCA and the EFCC are working together on this.

Furthermore, it's not certain if Diezani will be ordered by the UK court to complete his jail sentence in Nigeria if found guilty. For this reason, we must also be involved in the UK case as an interested party.

The accusations "are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation," according to Andy Kelly, Head of the NCA's International Corruption Unit, who made the announcement last year.

"One widespread kind of corruption that can have disastrous effects on emerging nations is bribery, which fosters major criminal activity.

"In order to combat the threat, we will keep working with partners both here and abroad."

Diezani is presently on trial for an alleged £100,000 bribe at the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom.

Diezani may have benefited from advantages totaling at least £100,000, according to the National Crime Agency. These benefits may have included cash, luxury family vacations, private jet travel, chauffeured automobiles, and many properties in London.

Given that the former minister posed a flight risk, a Magistrate Court granted her £70,000 bail on October 2, 2023.

Diezani’s case is set for trial, with the first dates set for November 2025.

The United Kingdom's Crown Prosecution Services received a request for the immediate extradition of Diezani Allison-Madueke, a former minister of petroleum, from Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in October 2023.