Diezani Alison-Madueke arrested in London

Timothy Enietan-Matthews, (Nation’s capital)
The anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari may have caught up with a major big fish, as there are indications that the Minister of Petroleum Resources under former President Goodluck Jonathan administration, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been arrested.

According to reports, Alison-Madueke was arrested on Friday in London by the UK National Crime Agency. She was believed to have been arrested alongside four others.

Though the identities of those arrested alongside Madueke are still unknown, they are said to have been nabbed in connection with bribery and corruption being investigated by the UK Agency.

Two top British officials in London confirmed the development under condition of anonymity, because they were not permitted to speak on the matter

The British High Commission in Nigeria also confirmed the arrest of some people but refused disclosing their identities.

The British High Commission’s Press and Public Affairs Officer, Joseph Abuku said, “This morning, five people between the ages of 21 and 60 were arrested on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences. The crimes are being investigated by the National Crime Agency.

“The National Crime Agency does not confirm identity at arrest nor provide information that could be used to corroborate the identity of an arrested individual.”

Though it is yet unclear if the arrests were at the instance of the Nigerian government, it will be recalled that President Buhari had hinted on the 27th of September that all those who were connected with the looting of billions of naira from the NNPC will soon be brought to book.

Read also: Diezani Alison-Madueke arrested in London

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have raided the Abuja home of Mrs Alison-Madueke, few hours after she was arrested in London.

The agents who stormed Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s palatial home, located in upmarket Asokoro district of Abuja on Friday, also sealed off the property.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now