The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has not been allowed to meet with the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the United Kingdom because her lawyer has refused the commission access to her.
EFCC stated that its efforts to interrogate Mrs Diezani had been abortive as her lawyer, John Binns of BCL Solicitors, refused to allow the commission’s team of investigators to meet with her in the UK earlier in March this year.
“The commission stated in a counter-affidavit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, we have been investigating the ex-minister for various allegations of corrupt practices, including abuse of office, money laundering, stealing of public funds and illegal acquisition of properties within and outside Nigeria.” The commission stated in a counter-affidavit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The counter-affidavit was in response to a motion filed by the former minister, seeking an amendment to the heading of the charges filed against a businessman, Mr. Olajide Omokore, and five others by adding her name to the list of defendants so that she could defend herself in respect of allegations against her in one of the nine counts.
Recall that the EFCC chairman Magu has promised to extradite Diezani and explained to Nigerians that the commission is working with a team of us based lawyers and law enforcement agencies to make it happen.