October 3, 2015 Bassey Udo

The UK National Crime Agency [NCA] on Saturday said investigation into allegations of corruption against Nigeria’s former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the four other people arrested Friday had been on since 2013.
In an update on its website, the NCA said, “The investigation commenced in 2013 under the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year.”
Until recently, the Proceeds of Corruption Unit was domiciled at the Metropolitan Police Service.
But after the International Corruption Unit was created at the NCA in line with the UK Anti-Corruption Plan, the Proceeds of Corruption Unit at the Metropolitan Police and the Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit of the City of London Police were scrapped.
The ICU then became the UK’s prime agency for the investigation of bribery of foreign public officials by individuals or companies from the UK, and money laundering by corrupt foreign officials and their associates.
In its update Saturday, the NCA also said it had released the former minister on “conditional bail”.
The other four unnamed persons arrested with her were also granted bail.
“All five people arrested were released on conditional police bail later that evening, pending further investigation both in the UK and overseas.”
The conditions of the bail are not immediately clear.
But people familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES that Mrs. Alison-Madueke and her colleagues were barred from travelling out of the UK pending conclusion of investigation and their arraignment in court.
One source said the suspects’ travelling documents were seized, but PREMIUM TIMES has been unable to independently verify that as at the time of this report.
The source also said the suspects were also warned against any attempt to tamper with evidence.
PREMIUM TIMES had on Friday exclusively reported the arrest of the former minister, alongside four others, by the UK agency over offences related to bribery, corruption and money laundering.
The identities of the four other people arrested along with Mrs. Alison-Madueke, could not be immediately ascertained.
Former minister accused of graft
​Mrs. Alison-Madueke, one of the most influential officials of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, was first appointed into the federal cabinet in 2007.
A former board member of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, she was later appointed Minister of Transport by former President Umaru Yar’adua.
In December 2008, she was redeployed to the mines and steel development ministry.
After former Vice President Goodluck Jonathan became acting president, Mrs. Alison-Madueke was appointed Nigeria’s first female petroleum minister in February 2010, a position Mrs. Alison-Madueke held till May 29, 2015 when Mr. Jonathan left office.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s tenure as petroleum minister turned out one of Nigeria’s most controversial, amid unending allegations of massive corruption.
Under her watch, dubious oil marketers stole trillions of naira of oil subsidy money. She retained her position despite an indictment by the House of Representatives which investigated the fuel subsidy scandal.
Probes by independent audit firms, including the KPMG and PriceWaterhousecoopers, confirmed that billions of dollars of oil money were missing. The most notable case of missing money involved $20billion in 2014, as alleged by a former Central Bank governor, Lamido Sanusi.
Several shady deals exposed by PREMIUM TIMES and confirmed by government and independent auditors were linked to the former minister and her cronies.
Long before her stint in the oil and gas sector, Mrs. Alison-Madueke was investigated by the Nigerian Senate on allegation she paid N30.9 billion to contractors while she held office as transportation minister.
In 2009, the Senate indicted and recommended her prosecution for allegedly transferring N1.2 billion into a private account of a toll company without due process.
Regardless of the indictments, Mrs. Alison-Madueke got elected in November 2014 as the first female president of oil producing countries alliance, OPEC.
The former minister consistently denies wrongdoing. In June, after leaving office, she rejected all allegations of embezzlement saying she never stole from Nigeria.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/190970-we-started-investigating-alison-madueke-since-2013-uk-national-crime-agency.html

Yes and for over 2years you didn't arrest her. Now President Buhari is president, u nabbed her. Tony Blair,britain,bush and usa accused Saddam Hussein of possessing weapons of mass destruction(WMD) . today. Tony Blair is a free man , he has never been charged to The ICC for world crimes. Britain always forming integrity and corrupt free but they formed this master slave union called Nigeria and left power in the hands of we want it all and we are born to rule.

Abeg they should recover all her stolen wealth., how can someone steal so much money that can build a second Niger Bridge and Dredge river Nigeria so my igbo brothers cab have a seaport to import directly to Onitsha...

She should rot in hell

Allison would have wished she had remain in Nigeria rather than London.

I hope spends at least 5yrs in jail and all her stolen loots returned.

Karma is what they say it is.

A

K

Shebi she dey form sickness for hospital? Let her go continue forming sickness in UK prison.

Riodiao:
Yes and for over 2years you didn't arrest her. Now President Buhari is president, u nabbed her. Tony Blair,britain,bush and usa accused Saddam Hussein of possessing weapons of mass destruction(WMD) . today. Tony Blair is a free man , he has never been charged to The ICC for world crimes. Britain always forming integrity and corrupt free but they formed this master slave union called Nigeria and left power in the hands of we want it all and we are born to rule.

are u sure she is not ur mother and u stole the money together? U can only rant here on faceless forum. It ends here. So sori..

She will go to prison

PentiumPro:
Shebi she dey form sickness for hospital? Let her go continue forming sickness in UK prison.

"3-legged 'woman' what are you saying"? Quote me anywhere

Riodiao:
Yes and for over 2years you didn't arrest her. Now President Buhari is president, u nabbed her. Tony Blair,britain,bush and usa accused Saddam Hussein of possessing weapons of mass destruction(WMD) . today. Tony Blair is a free man , he has never been charged to The ICC for world crimes. Britain always forming integrity and corrupt free but they formed this master slave union called Nigeria and left power in the hands of we want it all and we are born to rule.

I sincerely hope you brought an handkerchief to this party? You might want to request for a bowl too...

OZAOEKPE:

"3-legged 'woman' what are you saying"? Quote me anywhere

OremumuAnus, why you dey stalk me like a dog on heat with this your Quote me anywhere nonsense

PentiumPro:

OremumuAnus, why you dey stalk me like a dog on heat with this your Quote me anywhere nonsense

"I want everyone to know say you be man, and not a female".

I know Dezani will quickly plead guilty when she is confronted with massive evidence the British authorities must have carefully gathered against her over the last 3 years

OZAOEKPE:

"I want everyone to know say you be man, and not a female".

Can you swear with your foolish life on that ?
You wan go do abobaku with Allinson for prison.?

Riodiao:
Yes and for over 2years you didn't arrest her. Now President Buhari is president, u nabbed her. Tony Blair,britain,bush and usa accused Saddam Hussein of possessing weapons of mass destruction(WMD) . today. Tony Blair is a free man , he has never been charged to The ICC for world crimes. Britain always forming integrity and corrupt free but they formed this master slave union called Nigeria and left power in the hands of we want it all and we are born to rule.

British and its government are second Nigerians against Biafra. It is not funny British government does not start any form of investigation until a Nigerian is appointed a petroleum minister.

I thought some ignoramus said its the dividend of Mr. Ajalas frequent trips.

APC and tooo much talk.

For those thinking she will get out of this, they need to think twice. The ICU department that nailed Ibori is not as organised or funded as the new unit. Heck they were just a department at the City of London Police, it's mind blowing when you look at the set up of the new unit, it's like Dieziani just got in for a long day with the Bobs. A new Unit looking for a scapegoat to justify the massive funding they are getting from the parliament, backed by an opposition led FG that would fully supply all the incriminating evidences.

By the way, what concerns British government with Nigerian government’s money? Nigeria is a damn republic for carrying out loud.

Duru1:
By the way, what concerns British government with Nigerian government’s money? Nigeria is a damn republic for carrying out loud.

The NCA was set up to counter the sources of funding for crimes and terrorism, which trickles all the way down into the British society. According to their website, organised crime blights communities, ruins lives and costs the UK well over £20 billion each year. The current scourge of the ISIS is being funded through illegal proceeds from drugs and corrupt rich individuals in the middle east and Africa.

Dede 1 and his "senility" again. Any way, where are those ipob almajiris that claimed that deziani's husband threatened Pmb? NDI ARA

THATS A BIG LIE. THE PURPORTED INVESTIGATION STARTED A MONTH AGO, AND NOT 2013. EVEN THE USELESS PRESIDENT HAS DISCLOSED THAT, IT WAS AT THE INSTANCE AND REQUEST OF THE EFCC, THAT THEY MOVED IN ON DIEZANI. THIS IS SIMPLY AN ATTEMPT BY THE PRESIDENT TO SMEAR THE NAME OF THE EX-MINISTER AND MAKE A CASE OF THE FRUGALITIES OF APPOINTING A SEASONED PROFESSIONAL FOR THE POSITION OF OIL MINISTER. IF THE INVESTIGATIONS WERE REALLY FROM A WHILE BACK, WHY IS IT NOW THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS FINALLY DECIDED TO HEAD THE PETROLEUM MINISTRY, THAT THE UK CRIME AGENCY SUDDENLY REMEMBERS THAT DIEZANI IS A CROOK. OR WAS THE AGENCY, ASLEEP, LIKE THE EFCC DUE TO THE CHAGRINS OF THE GEJ ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOTHING BUT A HATCHET JOB, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, ONE BIG UK POLICE CHIEF IS GOING TO GET A NICE OIL PLOT FOR ALL HIS TROUBLES. EVEN THE LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE WAS UNAWARE OF THE SAID INVESTIGATIONS. RUBBISH!

xwolverine:


The NCA was set up to counter the sources of funding for crimes and terrorism, which trickles all the way down into the British society. According to their website, organised crime blights communities, ruins lives and costs the UK well over £20 billion each year. The current scourge of the ISIS is being funded through illegal proceeds from drugs and corrupt rich individuals in the middle east and Africa.

Per the bolded, I guess you do expect the investigation to dig up the syndicated criminal outfit and terrorist group associated with Deiziani.

Britain will deport Nigerians from the Uk and then turn around to demand priority on investment in Nigeria.


Influence our election in other to choose our Government.


We are not your colony any more, we kicked you out.

Femolacaster:
Dede 1 and his "senility" again. Any way, where are those ipob almajiris that claimed that deziani's husband threatened Pmb? NDI ARA

You are a patent dunce if you do not realize Nigerians shall remain a second fiddle if they could not simply undertake the investigation concerning misuse of funds. What a bunch of ninnies.

Thank God for the change

Stolen:
Britain will deport Nigerians from the Uk and then turn around to demand priority on investment in Nigeria.


Influence our election in other to choose or Government.


We are not your colony any more, we kicked you out.

Blame such action on the dumbasses such Muhammadu Buhari who ran to London, DC and Paris to get his marching orders once he was elected president of the zoo called Nigeria.

hardywaltz:
I know Dezani will quickly plead guilty when she is confronted with massive evidence the British authorities must have carefully gathered against her over the last 3 years

YOU WILL WITNESS WITH YOUR EYES HOW THIS CASE WILL DEVELOP WINGS AND FLY AWAY. DOMINIC STRAUSS KAHN, THE PREVIOUS IMF CHIEF WAS ACCUSED OF RAPE, AND WAS PUBLICLY DISGRACED BY THE NEWYORK STATE DEPARTMENT AND DA. THE MOMENT HE RESIGNED FROM HIS POSITION, HE WAS RELEASED AND ALL CHARGES WERE DROPPED. THE SUPPOSED VICTIM DISAPPEARED AND THAT WAS THE END OF THAT. SEPP BLATTER IS BEING HOUNDED FROM WASHINGTON TO BERN, AND THE FBI STILL HAS NOTHING ON HIM. DIEZANI IS NO FOOL, IF SHE TRULY MISAPPROPRIATED FUNDS, IT WAS THROUGH INTERNATIONAL CREDIT FIRMS AND FITCH REGISTERED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THERE IS NO WAY, IN HELL, THAT ANY AGENCY IN THE WORLD WILL BE ABLE TO TRACE JACK. ONCE THE THIEF WHO CALLS OUR PRESIDENT GETS WHAT HE WANTS: OIL PORTFOLIO, THE UK WHATEVER WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN REALISE THEY ARE ACTUALLY INVESTIGATING MR MADUKWE AND NOT MRS MADUEKWE.

clevadani:
Thank God for the change

What change are you on about? Silly Nigerians are making some of us look pathetic when juxtaposing intellects with the colonialists.

Duru1:


Blame such action on the dumbasses such Muhammadu Buhari who ran to London, DC and Paris to get his marching orders once he was elected president of the zoo called Nigeria.

Who dont know Buhari has sold us like Joseph.

Who dont know Britain is the highest bidders.

The Thunder that will fire Britain is doing press-up.

Duru1:


Per the bolded, I guess you do expect the investigation to dig up the syndicated criminal outfit and terrorist group associated with Deiziani.

Not at all in-fact its far from it, I merely stated the main purpose of setting up NCA and how it relates to Diezani. At the end of the day, if she's innocent, let her prove it at the courts.

The British government didn't force her on the flight to London, she came in on her own volition and now that she is in the UK, she is answerable to the NCA and its laws. Its not a case of colonisation or Nigeria being an independent state.

“The investigation commenced in 2013 under the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year.”

Í am glad that SÀi Buharists and their media arm (Punch) can now keep quiet. This operation was 100% British, Buhari have NO input. They have been trying to credit Buhari but the have been shamed.