The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained an arrest warrant for the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and has initiated extradition proceedings to bring her back to Nigeria. Diezani was recently arraigned in Westminster’s Court in London, UK, on allegations of bribery following an investigation by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

In response to Diezani’s arraignment in London, the EFCC expressed its strong support for the proceedings. The EFCC, in a statement issued by its acting head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, welcomed Diezani Alison-Madueke’s arraignment at Westminster’s Court in London, United Kingdom, in connection with alleged bribery charges. The statement emphasized that while the charges in London differed from the 13-count money laundering charges filed against her by the EFCC, wrongdoing remains wrongdoing, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. The EFCC’s charges against Madueke span Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Nigeria.

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The EFCC also disclosed that it has secured an arrest warrant and initiated extradition proceedings to facilitate Diezani’s trial in Nigeria, affirming its commitment to pursuing justice in this case. The EFCC stated, “The commission is on course for her trial. She will soon have her day in our courts.”

Diezani, who also served as the President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), played a significant role in the government led by former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015. According to the NCA, she allegedly accepted bribes during her tenure as minister in exchange for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts. The charges against her include various financial benefits, such as cash payments, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, luxury family vacations, and the use of multiple London properties.

Assets linked to the alleged offenses, valued in millions of pounds, have been frozen as part of the ongoing investigation. Additionally, the NCA provided evidence to the U.S. Department of Justice, leading to the recovery of $53.1 million in assets linked to Diezani’s alleged corruption. The investigation involved close cooperation between ICU officers of the NCA, the EFCC, and the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre, which operates in numerous jurisdictions.

Andrew Penhale, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), authorized the NCA to charge Diezani Alison-Madueke with bribery offenses. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a fair trial and called for the avoidance of any reporting, commentary, or sharing of information that could prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.