The Federal Government on Wednesday stated that it would not ask the British government to extradite a former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to Nigeria in order not to jeopardize ongoing investigations by authorities in the United Kingdom.
Alison-Madueke, who is being investigated 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 serving as minister, had urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the AGF to return her from the UK, where she travelled to shortly after leaving office in 2015.
She said she would like to appear in court in Nigeria to defend a criminal charge, bordering on alleged laundering of N450m, where her name was mentioned. The main defendants in the charge are a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Belgore; and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.
Reacting to the former minister’s request for the government to bring her back to the country, the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami SAN said such a move will be unnecessary for now as the UK authorities were already taking appropriate steps on the matter.
He however said if the Federal Government later saw any reason to bring the former minister back, it would not hesitate to do so, adding that the Diezani does not need to tell the government when to ask for her extradition.
According to Malami, “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 Allison-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 UK Government is already investigating her and government will not take any decision that will jeopardise what the UK Government is doing.”
The AGF stated that the government was working hard on issues of corruption and litigation in Nigeria and outside the country.
He said it would be wrong to conclude that the government was not doing anything on the matter, considering the fact that there is an existing understanding between Nigeria and other countries especially UK on the recovery of stolen funds.
On whether Diezani can get fair hearing in Nigeria, Malami said, “Well, the issue is not about fair hearing now. We are talking about investigation first and is not within Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke powers to ask the Federal Government to bring her to testify in any case in Nigeria.
“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.”