{"id":11371,"date":"2019-06-29T22:16:28","date_gmt":"2019-06-29T22:16:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/ng\/?p=5581"},"modified":"2019-06-29T22:16:28","modified_gmt":"2019-06-29T22:16:28","slug":"diezani-alison-maduekes-trouble-on-the-rise-british-detectives-storm-nigeria-scrutinize-records-parley-efcc-on-former-minister-stolen-funds-president-buhari-signs-mutual-assistance-in-criminal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/diezani-alison-maduekes-trouble-on-the-rise-british-detectives-storm-nigeria-scrutinize-records-parley-efcc-on-former-minister-stolen-funds-president-buhari-signs-mutual-assistance-in-criminal\/","title":{"rendered":"DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE’S TROUBLE ON THE RISE: BRITISH Detectives storm Nigeria…Scrutinize Records, Parley EFCC on former Minister Stolen FUNDS *President Buhari signs Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2019 into law to confiscate Diezani’s assets at home and Abroad * Anti-graft agency traced N47.2 billion and $487.5 million to the ex-minister * Former OPEC President possess N23,446,300,000 and $5 million (about N1.5 billion) in various Nigerian banks * EFCC finally secured forfeiture orders on the following assets of Diezani: 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 BY CHIGOZIE OLISAMEKA, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE EDITOR, ABUJA & GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU, AMERICAN FOREIGN BUREAU CHIEF"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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DIEZANI\nALISON-MADUEKE’S TROUBLE ON THE RISE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BRITISH\nDetectives storm Nigeria<\/strong>…Scrutinize\nRecords, Parley EFCC on former Minister Stolen FUNDS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*President\nBuhari signs Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2019 into law\nto confiscate Diezani’s assets at home and Abroad<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

* Anti-graft agency traced \nN47.2\nbillion and $487.5 million to the ex-minister<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*\nFormer OPEC President possess N23,446,300,000 and $5 million (about\nN1.5 billion) in various Nigerian banks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*\n EFCC finally secured forfeiture orders on the following assets of\nDiezani: about $37.5 million Banana Island property; Heritage Court\nEstate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu Port Harcourt; 135 Awolowo\nRoad\/Plot 808 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi; and 7, Hurnburn Street and 5,\nRaymond Street, Yaba, Lagos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BY\nCHIGOZIE OLISAMEKA, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE EDITOR, ABUJA & GEORGE\nELIJAH OTUMU, AMERICAN FOREIGN BUREAU CHIEF<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

THERE\nSEEMS TO BE NO MORE HIDING PLACE FOR NIGERIA’S FORMER MINISTER OF\nPETROLEUM RESOURCES, MRS DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE AS HER SINS MAY HAVE\nFOUND HER OUT. JUDGEMENT IS NOW LURKING BEHIND THE DOOR. A team of\nwell trained British detectives have arrived Nigeria and proceeded\nstraight to the headquarters of Economic ad Financial Crimes\nCommission, EFCC where various documents traceable to how Diezani\nstole Nigerian funds were made available. <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\ndetectives, who met with the operatives of EFCC for additional\nfact-finding, have already spent a week in the country. It was not\ncertain if the latest bend of the investigation will last longer than\na week, but there were indications that the detectives gathered more\nevidence and sought a few clarifications on some findings at their\ndisposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nIt\nwas learnt that the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2019,\nsigned into law about a week ago by President Muhammadu Buhari, might\nhelp in the bid to confiscate Diezani\u2019s assets at home and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\ncommission has so far traced N47.2 billion and $487.5 million to the\nex-minister. The agency also claimed that Diezani has N23,446,300,000\nand $5 million (about N1.5 billion) in various Nigerian banks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nEFCC has also secured final forfeiture orders on the following assets\nof Diezani: about $37.5 million Banana Island property; Heritage\nCourt Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu Port Harcourt; 135\nAwolowo Road\/Plot 808 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi; and 7, Hurnburn Street and\n5, Raymond Street, Yaba, Lagos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nInvestigation\nby our correspondent revealed that the detectives from the UK came to\nfill some gaps in their investigation which has spanned almost four\nyears. The ex-minister, who was arrested since October 2, 2015, has\nbeen restricted to the UK with her probe costing fortunes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although\nthere had been issues on whether or not to extradite Diezani, it was\ngathered that the depth of the ongoing probe revealed that she can be\ntried either in Nigeria or in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According\nto a source: \u201cThe detectives from the UK have been in Nigeria for a\nweek in line with the ongoing investigation of Diezani. It is a major\ncase the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK has been collaborating\nwith the EFCC to probe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA\nfew weeks ago, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, was also in London to\ncompare notes with similar agencies on this case. You will recall\nthat Magu in November 2018 made it clear that Nigeria was tired of\nwaiting for the trial of Diezani by the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut\nafter the initial issues between EFCC and UK agencies, there were\ntalks which revealed that those at the London end were making\npainstaking investigations. After Magu\u2019s visit to London, the\ninvestigation of Diezani assumed enhanced dimension because some grey\nareas were cleared. The coming of the detectives from London was\nmeant to fill some gaps, get additional evidence and crosscheck a few\nfindings on their part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding\nto a question, the source added: \u201cI think these detectives are on\nthe final lap of the ongoing probe of Diezani. We\nare hopeful that the latest bend of investigation was in preparation\nfor the trial of the ex-minister.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nAsked\nhow long the UK detectives will stay in Nigeria, the source said: \u201cI\nreally don\u2019t know. But it has been hectic in the last one week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nsource, however, confirmed that the Mutual Assistance in Criminal\nMatters Bill, 2019, signed into law about a week ago by President\nMuhammadu Buhari, might help in confiscating Diezani\u2019s assets at\nhome and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\ntop source said: \u201cThe new law will certainly assist the EFCC and\nother security agencies in bringing some of these looters to justice.\nThe new law will hasten EFCC\u2019s action on Diezani and suspicious\nassets traced to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t\nforget that Sections 7, 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act)\n2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 mandate\nthe agency to seize suspicious assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nSection\n7 says: \u201cThe commission has power to (a) cause any investigations\nto be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or\norganisation has committed any offence under this Act or other law\nrelating to economic and financial crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c(b)\ncause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any\nperson if it appears to the commission that the person\u2019s lifestyle\nand extent of the properties are not justified by his source of\nincome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nSections\n28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of\nthe Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to\ninvoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSection\n28 of the EFCC Act reads: \u2018Where a person is arrested for an\noffence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and\nattach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a\nresult of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause\nto be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nSection\n13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: \u201cThe Court may\ngrant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order\nin all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or\nconvenient so to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c(2)\nAny such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms\nand conditions as the Court thinks just.\u201d No official of the EFCC\nwas willing to make any comment at press time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nBut\nthe Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly\nMatters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, said the new law will enable other\ncountries to also provide information to Nigeria, which could be used\nby the Attorney-General of the Federation to pursue such\nprosecutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\nsaid: \u201cIt is intended to ensure that where there is a property that\nis subject of crime or there are crimes committed outside Nigeria or\nwithin Nigeria and the person leaves Nigeria, the provisions of the\nAct authorises the Attorney-General of the Federation, which is the\ndesignated authority in Nigeria, to pursue and use every means to\nprosecute the offence within and outside Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis\nAct does not apply to offences which are of political nature and it\ndoesn\u2019t apply to offences which relate to the military profession\nor offences which are not regarded as offences in the laws of Nigeria\nbut which may be offence in the laws of other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\nalso enables us, Nigeria, to trace the proceeds of crime to restrain,\nconstrain and in other matter, ensure that the proceeds of crime\nwithin or outside Nigeria is not disposed of on the basis of\nreciprocity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nBesides\nthe properties in Lagos, the commission allegedly claimed in a\ndocument that Diezani allegedly bought choice mansions in Abuja, Port\nHarcourt and Yenagoa in Bayelsa State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\ndocument said: \u201cOn plot 10, Frederick Chiluba Close, in the serene,\nupscale Asokoro District of Abuja, lies a tastefully built and\nfinished duplex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn\nthe compound, there are also a guest chalet, boys\u2019 quarters, an\nelegant swimming pool, fully equipped sports gym and a host of other\namenities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInvestigators\nhave discovered that the property acquired by the ex-minister in\nDecember, 2009, at the cost of N400 million (Four Hundred Million\nNaira) was never declared in any of the asset declaration forms filed\nby Alison-Madueke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlso\nlinked to the former Minister in Abuja is a mini estate at Mabushi,\nAbuja. The estate located on Plot 1205, Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi\nGardens Estate, houses 13 three bedroom terrace houses, each with one\nbedroom en-suite maid\u2019s quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\nwas purchased on April 2, 2012 at the princely sum of N650 million\n(six hundred and fifty million naira).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn\nAso Drive, Maitama, Abuja, Alison-Madueke reportedly acquired a\n6-bedroom en-suite apartment made up of three large living rooms,\ntwo-bedroom guest chalets, two bedroom boys quarters, two lock-up\ngarages and a car park. It was bought on July 20, 2011 for N80\nmillion (eighty million naira).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDown\nSouth in Nigeria\u2019s oil city of Port Harcourt, the former minister\u2019s\nacquisitive appetite took her to Heritage Court Estate, located on\nPlot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu Government Residential Area, Phase 1\nExtension, Port Harcourt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe\nEstate which is made up of 16 four-bedroom terrace duplexes is\nequipped with, among other facilities, a massive standby power\ngenerating set. Alison-Madueke did not blink as she shelled out N900\nmillion (nine hundred million naira) for it on May 30, 2012,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn\nneighbouring Bayelsa State, an apartment with two blocks of flats,\nall en-suite, and with a maids quarters were also traced to her. The\nhouse located on Goodluck Jonathan Road, Yenagoa is sitting on a\nlarge expanse of land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRealtors\nhave placed estimated values running into hundreds of millions of\nnaira on the property. The apartments have four living rooms, eight\nbedrooms and gold-plated furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAside\nfrom jewellery and property, Alison-Madueke allegedly has\nN23,446,300,000 and $5 million (about N1.5billion) in various\nNigerian banks.\u201d (The Nation)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE’S TROUBLE ON THE RISE: BRITISH Detectives storm Nigeria…Scrutinize Records, Parley EFCC on former Minister Stolen FUNDS *President Buhari signs Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2019 into law to confiscate Diezani’s assets at home and Abroad * Anti-graft agency traced N47.2 billion and $487.5 million to the ex-minister * Former OPEC President possess […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[129,130],"class_list":{"0":"post-11371","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nigeria","8":"tag-africa","9":"tag-nigeria-2"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11371"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11371\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}