The Nigerian government has said it would not ask the British
government to send a former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani
Alison-Madueke, back to Nigeria to avoid jeopardizing ongoing
investigations by authorities in the United Kingdom.
The government’s position was made known by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Wednesday.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who is under investigation by UK’s National
Crime Agency, NCA, for alleged illicit possession of properties valued
at £10 million, purportedly purchased for her by some businessmen while
she was minister, had asked to be joined in an ongoing corruption suit
against the businessmen in Nigeria.
She asked the government to request her extradition back to the country.
However, Mr. Malami said such a move was not necessary for now.
“The truth of the matter is that steps have been taken by the United
Kingdom authorities on issues bothering on corrupt practices involving
Nigerians.
“If Nigeria feels strongly that there is need to bring Mrs. Diezani
Alison-Madueke here to face charges of corruption, government will not
hesitate to do that.
As things are now, there is no need for that since the U.K.
Government is already investigating her and government will not take any
decision that will jeopardize what the U.K. Government is doing,” he
told journalists at the State House in Abuja.
The AGF said there is an existing understanding between Nigeria and
other countries especially the United Kingdom on the recovery of stolen
funds.
The Minister said Mrs. Alison-Madueke does not need to tell the government when to ask for her extradition.
“Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is facing charges of money laundering
and acquisition of properties in United Kingdom so it is important to
face the charges there than for her to come as a mere witness in a case
in Nigeria,” he said.