Alleged bribery: EFCC writes AGF, seeks Diezani’s extradition

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, told Justice Valentine Ashi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo that it has written the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to extradite a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom to face trial. Diezani and Jide Omokore, a former Chairman, Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, were supposed to be arraigned by the Commission on February 25, 2019, for offences bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications. They are alleged to have accepted and given gifts in properties located at Penthouse 22, Block B, Admiralty Estate, Ikoyi, and Penthouse 21, Building 5, Block C, Banana Island, Lagos. They were to be arraigned on Monday on a five-count charge for the offences, which are contrary to Sections 26(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. When the matter came up first for arraignment of the defendants on December 4, 2018, the Court issued order directing the EFCC and other security agencies to produce Diezani in court within 72 hours of her return to Nigeria, for her to face the fraud charges. At the resumed sitting on Monday, prosecuting counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, informed the court that the Commission has written to the AGF, seeking for the extradition of Diezani. He said: “The Commission has written the AGF, with a view for the extradition process so as to enable her face her trial, as she is still in the United Kingdom.” He said the letter titled, “Letter of Request to Extradite Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom,” was received by the office of the AGF on December 14, 2018. It reads in part: “The Commission recently filed charges against Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in both the Federal High Court (Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018) and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Charge No. CR/22/2018). The latter case came up on December 4, 2018, wherein the presiding judge (Honourable Justice Valentine B. Ashi) issued a warrant for her arrest to enable the Commission apprehend and produce her to stand trial. “In view of the foregoing, I humbly request the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), to make an extradition request to the relevant authority in the United Kingdom to initiate process of extraditing Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria to stand trial”. The prosecution further informed the court that Omokore will soon be served. The court thereafter adjourned to May 22, 2019, for arraignment.