$2.5 billion fraud: UK prosecutors and the EFCC to work together on Diezani’s case

Over the weekend, there were hints that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intends to work together with UK prosecutors as an interested party in Diezani Alison-Madueke’s trial as a former petroleum minister in a UK court.

According to The Nation, a delegation from the anti-graft commission is anticipated in London to start this procedure by submitting relevant paperwork.

A person with knowledge of the matter has stated that the EFCC plans to provide the UK court with its findings as well as the forfeiture order issued by the Abuja High Court over Diezani’s $2.5 million worth of properties and automobiles.

“This country may not be able to retrieve questionable assets from Diezani if the EFCC does not file an application as an interested party. We have received an advisory on this important bend to Diezani’s trial and we will be part of the case in the UK. A team will leave for London any moment from now to explore legal opportunities and file necessary papers as an interested party.

“The overall aim is for Nigeria to benefit from Diezani’s trial, especially the recovery of all assets linked to funds looted in this country. The EFCC has sufficient evidence against Diezani, including a court order on the former minister’s $2.5 million homes and cars.

“In another case, a former chairman of EFCC confirmed that the commission recovered $153 million and secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $ 80 million. The allegations against Diezani by the EFCC border on the alleged stealing of about $2.5 billion from Nigeria’s coffers as a minister.” the source stated.

“It is necessary for this nation to rise to the occasion because, in March 2023, the NCA also provided evidence to the US Department of Justice that enabled them to recover assets totalling $53.1 million linked to Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.

“Like the P&ID case, the EFCC has sufficient evidence to pull through a case against Diezani. We want all stolen, diverted and questionable assets back in the custody of Nigeria for the good use of our citizens.I think the EFCC is collaborating with the NCA in the UK on this.

“It is also unclear if the UK court will ask Diezani to return to Nigeria to serve prison terms if convicted. This is why we also need to be an interested party in the case in the UK,” the source added.

The charges “are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation,” according to Andy Kelly, Head of the NCA’s International Corruption Unit, who made the announcement last year.

“Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries.

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“We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat.”

Diezani is presently on trial for an alleged £100,000 bribe at the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom.

Diezani may have benefited from advantages totaling at least £100,000, according to the National Crime Agency. These benefits may have included cash, luxury family vacations, private jet travel, chauffeured automobiles, and many properties in London.

Given that the former minister posed a flight risk, a Magistrate Court granted her £70,000 bail on October 2, 2023.

Diezani’s case is set for trial, with the first dates set for November 2025.

The United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Services received a request for the immediate extradition of Diezani Allison-Madueke, a former minister of petroleum, from Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in October 2023.

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