EFCC Recovers $153 million from Diezani
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has revealed that it has recovered $153 million from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The Chairman of the anti-graft agency Abdulrasheed Bawa stated this on Thursday. He added that 80 houses valued at $80 million were also recovered from the former minister.
“There are several cases surrounding Diezani’s case. I was part of that investigation, and we have done quite a lot.
”In one of the cases we recovered $153 million; we have secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $80 million. We have done quite a bit on that,” said the agency’s boss in the April edition of the commission’s magazine, EFCC Alert.
He added, “The other cases as it relates to the $115 million INEC bribery are also ongoing across the federation.
“We are looking forward to the time we will, maybe, have her in the country, and, of course, review things and see what will happen going forward. The case has certainly not been abandoned.”
former Minister of Petroleum Resources is facing charges bordering on bribery and money laundering in Nigeria and in London.
The anti-graft agency had accused Diezani of fleeing to the UK in order to elude justice.
Recall that in February 2020, the commission under the leadership of Ibrahim Magu, the former boss of the commission, did ask the UK authorities to extradite the Diezani on the ground that she allegedly stole a sum of $2.5 billion belonging to the Nigerian government.
Magu had said the fund must be accounted for, noting that Diezani had a generation of looters who are supporting her actions, adding that it was not good for the image and development of the nation.
The former chair also noted at the time that the EFCC has been in touch with the international community to facilitate the extradition of the former minister.
