Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Tuesday signified her interest to return to Nigeria and defend a criminal trial against her.
She said this while urging a Lagos Federal High Court to compel the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, to bring her back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom.
Alison-Madueke has been linked with a N450m money laundering case before the Justice Rilwan Aikawa.
Others involved in the trial include, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Belgore; and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had alleged that Belgore and Suleiman were charged for allegedly collecting N450m from Diezani and laundering the sum in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.
EFCC alleged that the N450m was part of a sum of $115m which Diezani allegedly used to compromise the 2015 general elections.
She made the appeal in an application filed on her behalf before Justice Rilwan Aikwa by an Abuja based lawyer, Obinna Onya which seeks to join her as one of the defendants in the trial.
Onya noted that contrary to the declaration by the EFCC that Diezani was at large, the former minister was in the UK and was willing to return to Nigeria so that she could appear in court to take her plea and defend the charges..
He contended that since Diezani’s name had been linked to the charge, it would be against her right to fair hearing for the case to proceed without affording her the opportunity to defend herself.
Onya said, “The statement made by the prosecution means that the applicant (Diezani) is going to be convicted without being given the opportunity to defend herself.”
He prayed for an order “mandating the Attorney General of the Federation, being the agent of the complainant, to facilitate the prompt appearance of the applicant in court on the next adjourned date, to take her plea and to defend the allegations made against her in counts 1, 2,3 and 4 of the charge, numbered FHC/L/35c/2017.”
However, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application, saying it was not ripe for hearing, as he had yet to be served.
After listening to arguments by all the counsels involved in the trial, Justice Aikawa adjourned the matter till tomorrow.
from dailypost...
*Hmmm this sounds like some kind of deal has been brokered somewhere...Hmmmmmm.No person who laundered money will ever be prosecuted in Nigeria because they are all guilty...even those who do the prosecuting...
You have said it all Stella. That's why she wants to come home. If her trial takes place in London, she's going to jail straight but Nigeria, she'll walk around and even become a senator
ReplyDeleteStella you really don't have sense,because if you do then you will ask your self this simple question. Why take her to a court you don't have fate with? If you don't have fate in Nigeria court then don't take her there. So it is now cool try some a person,but not allowed to clear your self.
DeleteAnon 10:17, why do u sound so bittered. U come onto someone's blog and shut them up. Why don't u take two spoons of coconut oil and honey. You will be just fine
DeleteNooooo!!! She should just stay in the uk where the law works and she will be sent to prison like some. If she comes back to Nigeria, she will go free. The verdict in Nigeria will be not guity
ReplyDeleteThe only difference between leaders in Nigeria and the followers is just the postion. Make a follower a leader and he/she become worst. You all are just too wicked,angry and hopeless and I understand why. A woman has been in London and everybody that wants to be notice calls her out,even the charley man protested that she should return and face her case. Today the woman says I want to come and clear my name and people are saying no. So if she can't come to clear her name in Nigeria then don't accuse her in Nigeria, mind you she is not in jail in the UK yet. Wicked people every where I wonder how we can move forward in this country of senselessness and sentiments
DeleteShe is begging to come back to Nigeria, So that she can defend herself in court with bribery. Madam, defend yourself there.
ReplyDeleteMadam pele oo. Those ones can't be bribed,so you want to come to Nigeria where your money will work for you. Please remain there !
ReplyDeleteStay in UK and defend yourself
ReplyDeleteShe said that cos she's aware the law has been crippled and can't affect her kind.
ReplyDeleteRemain there and face what awaits you madam! The law works there!
She is running away from the UK justice system. Knowing they will find her guilty of money laundering, why can't she come back to Nigeria own her own? Was she sent on exile. Nonsense
ReplyDeleteRepartriated to where?
ReplyDeleteTo Nigeria where the law only works for the poor? Where polithiefcians like yourself walk free and are celebrated after embezzling so much?
Where your likes use the money you stole to oppress those you stole from and nothing can be done?
Madam, If Ibori can do his time, you too can
Remain there and face the music.
Only the guilty is afraid. If you are not guilty, you should be ready to be tried anywhere in the world.
LMAO @ If Ibori can do this,you too can!
Delete😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
The guilty are truly afraid!
Now u want to come to Nigeria?
The Nigeria you shamelessly looted and stripped naked? Taaaaah!
Birds of the same feathers
ReplyDeleteAwon ole
Where you can bribe your thieving ass out right???!!
ReplyDeleteIffahear!👿
I have no respect for politicians in this country, all of them are terrible.
ReplyDeleteMany share the same exact sentiments with u.
DeleteYou ran by yourself to UK to hide, please just remain there.
ReplyDeleteYou will return to Nigeria after you have served your time.
Hehehehehe
Deletehmmm she is about to bite the bait...interesting. We are watching....
ReplyDelete