A former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, has spoken about the corruption allegations against the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
He said Diezani has had a successful career working with Shell Corporation, so if it is believed that everything forfeited or identified as Diezani’s property or assets are ill-gotten- that is not fair enough.
“Diezani was never a poor person before she came to government. She worked with Shell Petroleum. She was in money before she came on board as a minister to the best of my knowledge. So, to just make a sweeping condemnation, believing that everything forfeited or identified as Diezani’s property or assets are ill-gotten, I do not think that is fair enough. But the revelations are worrisome, mind-boggling. It took a lot of people by surprise, including me but again, we should still give her the benefit of the doubt.” Suleiman said.
He went further to explain that although Diezani has not appeared before any court to defend herself, Nigerians should know that Jonathan inherited Diezani from Obasanjo and (Umaru) Yar’Adua’s government.
Speaking with Punch newspapers, the former minister said. “She has not appeared before any court of law to defend herself, so it would be unfair on my own side to speak on whether she is guilty or not. Yes, the revelation is shocking and worrisome, but it will be unfair for me as an intellectual and a Muslim to now pass blame on whether she is right or wrong.”
“One thing you must know is that Diezani was never a poor person before she came to government. She worked with Shell Petroleum. She was in money before she came on board as a minister to the best of my knowledge.”
Speaking further on corruption, he said a lot of people claimed that Jonathan’s administration is corrupt but has any corruption case been traced to Jonathan?
“I am insisting that Jonathan’s government did its best for Nigerians. It is a government that showed great love, care and presented many opportunities for Nigerians. It might not have been perfect and no human system is perfect. Because of some imperfections, therefore, you could identify some of the officials who are also Nigerians.”
“ You can allege certain things against them because of their level of imperfection. Some of these issues have yet to be proved before the court of law. I keep on saying this: corruption, if there is any, is not peculiar to Jonathan’s government. If you claim that some officials under Jonathan were corrupt, is it the same Jonathan’s administration that is making some policemen to be corrupt, making some lecturers to be corrupt, and making those who work in financial institutions to be corrupt? Have they really traced any corrupt practice to Jonathan as a person? In two years of this government now, there is no proven case of conviction against any of the alleged high-profile persons to date. Is there any?”