BY GODWIN OBI
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured an arrest warrant for former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The EFCC Acting spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development to newsmen on Monday.
Meanwhile, the anti-graft agency has also initiated extradition proceedings to bring the former minister back to Nigeria.
Recall that Alison-Madueke was arraigned today at the Westminster Magistrates Court in London, the United Kingdom, following alleged bribery allegations.
The charges preferred against her at the London court are different from the 13-count charge bordering on money laundering the EFCC had levelled against her.
The EFCC further stated, “It is instructive to note that criminality is criminality, irrespective of jurisdictional differences. No crime can go unpunished.
“The money laundering charges for which Madueke is answerable to the EFCC cover jurisdictions in Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Nigeria.
“To bring the former minister to trial in Nigeria, an arrest warrant has been obtained, and extradition proceedings have been initiated.
“The commission is on course on her trial. She will soon have her day in our courts,” he added.
London court
Today, at the Westminster Magistrates Court, the district judge, Michael Snow, granted Alison-Madueke a £70,000 bail.
Furthermore, Snow imposed other terms on Alison-Madueke, including an 11p.m. to 6a.m. curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a £70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.
According to Reuters, she did not formally enter a plea. But her attorney, Mark Bowen, told the court that she would plead not guilty.
Her next court appearance is at Southwark Crown Court on October 30.
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