– Alison-Madueke’s allies
are currently being tried for corruption – SERAP wants ex-minister to
defend herself – Makes demand from Prime Minister David Cameron As
Nigeria’s immediate past minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke,
continues with her battle to wade off the series of corruption
allegations against her, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability
Project (SERAP) has demanded that she be repatriated from the United
Kingdom (UK) to defend herself. The demand for her repatriation comes
ahead of the international anti-corruption summit in the UK for which
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is a participant.
Some
allies of Alison-Madueke are currently
answering questions relating to
their roles in the huge financial mismanagement and corruption that
rocked the government of Dr Goodluck Jonathan. SERAP believes that the
charges she is currently facing in UK court do not sufficiently capture
the gravity of her alleged crimes and the increasing allegations of
corruption against her in Nigeria.
The Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) had recently announced it was commencing special investigation
into the how some banks got involved in the N23 billion allegedly shared
to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
the Nigerian electoral umpire, by officials of Jonathan’s government
during the 2015 general elections. Executive director of SERAP,
Adetokunbo Mumuni, said on behalf of the rights group: “The
anti-corruption summit in London provides an important opportunity for
the UK government to support the ongoing fight against corruption in
Nigeria, and to send a powerful message that the UK will not provide
sanctuary or condone impunity for corrupt public officials.
“As a
state party to the UN convention against corruption, the UK government
can use the convention as a basis for the extradition of Alison-Madueke
back to Nigeria. “We urge the Nigerian authorities to without delay
submit a request to the UK authorities for the extradition of Mrs
Alison-Madueke, explicitly making the point that Nigeria will guarantee
her a due process-trial. “If the UK refuses the extradition request,
Nigeria should consider submitting the matter for arbitration and if
this cannot resolve the case, refer it to the International Court of
Justice for adjudication. The Nigerian authorities should also consider
filing a civil action against Mrs Alison-Madueke in the UK court. “By
sending Mrs Alison-Madueke back to her country, the UK will be sending a
message that high-level official corruption will not go unpunished no
matter where the suspected perpetrator hides and thus contribute to the
fight against impunity for grand corruption.
“The UK indeed has
an obligation to extradite Mrs Alison-Madueke through international
cooperation and collaboration in good faith with Nigeria. “We believe
that effective prosecution in Nigeria is feasible and this will bring
justice closer to Nigerians who are direct victims of corruption.
“Extraditing Mrs Alison-Madueke back to Nigeria is equally important for
allowing easier access to witnesses, evidence, victims of corruption;
creating a deep connection between Nigerians and the impact of the
trial; and empowering victims of corruption.”
The statement
continues: “SERAP believes that there is probable cause that Mrs
Alison-Madueke participated in the extraditable acts involving some
banks in Nigeria, whether directly or indirectly. The allegations of
corruption against her are strong enough for Prime Minister David
Cameron to facilitate an extradition proceeding. “The UK shouldn’t be a
country of refuge for corrupt officials if it is to avoid a miscarriage
of justice in high-level corruption cases. But if Mrs Alison-Madueke is
not extradited, the UK will have a responsibility to amend her charges
to include the fresh allegations against her and to try her on the
merits under the UK laws as if she had committed the crimes there.”
Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly
released the chief executive officers of two Nigerian banks. According
to Sahara Reporters, the men regained freedom after they returned
billions of naira they had illicitly acquired from political slush funds
during the administration of former president, Goodluck Jonathan.
The
EFCC sources revealed that Yemi Adeola, the Sterling Bank’s CEO, was
released on Friday, May 6, after he deposited a payment of N5 billion.
According to one of the sources, the money returned by Adeola was in
partial restitution for a transaction of $88 million he received from
Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former minister of petroleum resources.
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