Don’t order Diezani’s return to Nigeria, EFCC begs court


Oladimeji Ramon

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos not to order the return of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom to Nigeria.

The anti-graft agency described Diezani’s prayer to be brought back to Nigeria as a ploy to escape justice in the UK, where, according to the EFCC, she is being investigated for several financial crimes by the Metropolitan Police.

According to the EFCC, investigation by the Metropolitan Police in Diezani’s case had reached an advanced stage and her prosecution in the UK was imminent.

It, therefore, said it would not be in the interest of justice to grant Diezani’s application seeking to return to Nigeria.

The EFCC said this in a counter-affidavit it filed in opposition to Diezani’s application before Justice Rilwan Aikawa, wherein she is seeking an order compelling the Attorney General of the Federation to facilitate her return to Nigeria.

In the said application, which she filed through her lawyer, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, Diezani said she wished to appear before the Federal High Court in Lagos to defend a criminal charge, bordering on alleged laundering of N450m, where her name was mentioned.

The main defendants in the charge are a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Belgore; and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.

But opposing the application, the EFCC, in a counter-affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Usman Zakari, explained that when it began investigation into the case involving Belgore and Suleiman sometime in 2015, Diezani spurned its invitation to explain her role and rather absconded to the UK.

It said its subsequent efforts by its operatives to interview her in London were blocked by her lawyer in the UK, John Binns of BCL Solicitors, who contended that Nigerian investigators could not interview her as she was outside Nigeria’s jurisdiction.

The EFCC said Diezani’s bid to now return to Nigeria was nothing but a ploy to escape justice having realised that her trial might soon begin in the UK.

EFCC dey beg

as if they can't prosecute her here.

Shouldn't efcc be happy to prosecute her for all they have alleged she did. Abi dem no get case?

In other words... EFCC won't cry foul if she is not found guilty in the UK, or if she is not given plenty punishment. Pls court don't order her return to Nigeria.

Diazeni stole money. She bought $38 billion house in Austria, she carries $5 million handbag, her underwear cost $1 million each. Her son ate $500k hamburger. And now you suddenly don't want to face her in a court of law?

Its all obvious tha they're scared of her in courthouse...
Our EFCC has not convicted any reasonable looter since this regime,
But if it turns out to be the case of a novice yahoo guy , they'll pack em selves in

IT SEEMS EFCC CAN'T STAND HER PRESENCE.

Pl

Hahahahaha... What is d EFCC afraid of? So despite claiming to have humongous evidence and witnesses dey'll rather have her face charges over there

Nigeria is a zoo. so after soiling her name in the social media. they are now afraid of her defending herself in court?

This is a Joke.

mgbadike81:
Nigeria is a zoo. so after soiling her name in the social media. they are now of her defending herself in court?

Lol.

C'mon.

Have you been to a Zoo before?

A Zoo is well organized.

It's more like a Jungle at night time.

MyNewJackeT:
EFCC dey beg

as if they can't prosecute her here.

Trust me they can't. The very day that woman steps into Nigeria to defend herself even the Senate will raise a motion to stop it. As it is she has so many of the political elite well trapped....forget all the noise..."nothing do her".
BTW why do you think that of all the people accused of corruption she appears to be the only one begging them to have her day in court. Others are either striking a deal to part with some of the loot or joining their ranks.

Chai! Why is the EFCC passionate against the return of Deziani to Nigeria to face their media propaganda trials? Maina is a runaway fugitive but this woman have had enough of your charade.
(Quote

this is hilarious. something is fishy somewhere.

Dumb Afonjas will still support all the lies being propagated against her by EFCC,

One only has to think of Ibori and Alamieseigha to realize the UK is 10 times a bigger hope for justice than Nigeria's judiciary. Ibori in particular was tried and acquitted with no case to answer in Nigeria's worthless courts for a similar case for which he was extradited by the UAE to the UK, treated like a common crook and prosecuted and jailed. Alams was to have faced the same fate if he didn't escape British surveillance while under house arrest. Both came back to Nigeria here after their UK ordeals to be treated as heroes by our population of fuccktard zombies that defend corruption.

The US and UK have already seized assets of Diezani and her cronies and the UK are likely to build a case against her. The elite in Nigeria are untouchable in the courts and even those that get indicted get away with ridiculous plea deals that pervert justice. I get that many of you hate Buhari and there is much that I resent about this abomination of an administration, but you people really have to quit the madness of defending corruption just because it suits your political stance against this administration. I despair everytime I see people basically cheering on the likes of Patience Jonathan and Diezani just because you hate Buhari.

liberalsinnerx:
Dumb Afonjas will still support all the lies being propagated against her by EFCC,

Focus on the topic. I don't know what "afonja" has to do with anything posted here. It's beyond me how many of you, who I know are adults, (many probably as old as 40) can be so childish. Grow up and stop tarnishing your upbringing.

EFCC is enjoying property forfeiture while it lasts. Not knowing that nothing last for ever except Pakistan perfume.