The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has obtained a warrant for the arrest of former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Dele Oyewale, the Acting Spokesperson for EFCC, officially verified this information to journalists on Monday.
Alongside their other actions, the anti-graft agency has begun extradition proceedings to secure the former minister’s return to Nigeria.
It’s worth noting that Alison-Madueke was formally charged today in the Westminster Magistrates Court in London, UK, on allegations of bribery.
It’s important to note that the charges presented against her in the London court are unrelated to the 13-count money laundering indictment previously brought against her by the EFCC.
The EFCC further stated, ‘It is instructive to note that criminality is criminality, irrespective of jurisdictional differences. No crime can go unpunished.’
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‘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.
In today’s proceedings at the Westminster Magistrates Court, District Judge Michael Snow approved a £70,000 bail for Alison-Madueke.
Snow also placed additional obligations on Alison-Madueke, including a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., a mandatory electronic monitoring device, and the prerequisite of a £70,000 surety paid before her departure from the court.
Reuters reported that she refrained from entering a formal plea, but her attorney, Mark Bowen, indicated to the court that she intends to plead not guilty.
She is set to appear in Southwark Crown Court on October 30 for her next court session.