BREAKING: EFCC confirms moves to bring back Alison-Madueke

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed that the process to bring back a former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs . Deziani Alison – Madueke , from the United Kingdom has begun .Acting spokesman of the Commission, Mr . Tony Orilade , disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja .

There have been calls from different quarters for the former minister to return to the country to answer several allegations of financial impropriety against her .

According to Orilade , EFCC ’ s Operations Department had made presentation to the Legal Department to commence the process , noting that the process has commenced .

He , however , said that the action had to be processed through the office of the Attorney – General of the Federation , explaining that it was not something the Commission could commence and conclude on its own .

“ It is ongoing . Within the next few weeks , the extent to which we have gone will be made known to the public .

“ It is not a fresh case ; it is not a fresh petition that is just being looked into ; the whole process is a total package .

“ This request to have Mrs . Alison -Madueke repatriated to Nigeria is just an aspect of Diezani ’ s investigation and commencement of trial , ” he said .

In 2017 , a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of N 7 . 6 bn alleged loot recovered from the former minister to the Federal Government .

Justice Abdulazeez Anka granted an application by the EFCC seeking the final forfeiture of the money to the government.

Granting the application , the judge had said : “ I have read the motion on notice seeking the final forfeiture of the sum of N 7 . 6 bn reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity .

“ I have also gone through the affidavit in support of the application .

“ In the circumstances , I am of the view that the application has merit and is hereby granted as prayed . Parties have a right of appeal . ”

In October , 2017 , the Minister of Justice and Attorney – General of the Federation , Abubakar Malami , had said that Nigeria had no immediate plan to bring Alison -Madueke back home to face trial .

Alison -Madueke , who is being investigated in the UK , had urged the Federal Government to have her repatriated to Nigeria to face corruption charges against her .

But Malami said that bringing her back to the country would jeopardise the investigation being carried out on her in the UK .

“ Steps have been taken by the United Kingdom authorities on issues bordering 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 stand now , there is no need for that , since the UK Government is already investigating her , ’’ he had said .

The EFCC spokesman could not , however , say the point at which it became necessary to seek repatriation of the former minister .

( NAN )

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