Diezani: UK detectives land in Abuja

British detectives investigating former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke are now in Nigeria.

They already met with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission has so far traced N47.2 billion and $487.5 million to the ex-minister arrested since October 2, 2015.

The agency also claimed that Diezani has N23,446,300,000 and $5 million (about N1.5 billion) in various Nigerian banks.

The EFCC has also secured final forfeiture orders on her assets, including about $37.5 million-Banana Island property; Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu Port Harcourt; 135 Awolowo Road/ Plot 808 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi; and 7, Hurnburn Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, Lagos.

“The detectives from the UK have been in Nigeria for a week in line with the ongoing investigation of Diezani,” The Nation quoted a source as saying.

“It is a major case the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK has been collaborating with the EFCC to probe.

“A few weeks ago, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, was also in London to compare notes with similar agencies on this case.”

Magu in November 2018 made it clear that Nigeria was tired of waiting for the trial of Diezani by the UK.

“But after the initial issues between EFCC and UK agencies, there were talks which revealed that those at the London end were making painstaking investigations,” said the source/

“After Magu’s visit to London, the investigation of Diezani assumed enhanced dimension because some grey areas were cleared.

“The coming of the detectives from London was meant to fill some gaps, get additional evidence and crosscheck a few findings on their part.

“We are hopeful that the latest bend of investigation was in preparation for the trial of the ex-minister.”

President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2019, signed into law about a week ago.

This might help in investigating and recovering loot stashed abroad.