Diezani Madueke, the former petroleum minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan, currently in the second stage of cancer, has appealed to the Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu for leniency. Diezani, who fled to the United Kingdom due to fears of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, expressed her readiness to return to Nigeria and confess to her financial misconduct during her tenure.
Speaking to the press in London after a medical visit, Diezani, accused of embezzling billions of dollars from Nigeria, revealed her readiness to disclose details of the funds she allegedly misappropriated while in office. She stated, “I am now a born-again Christian and currently grappling with the second stage of cancer, for which my United Kingdom-based physician has advised me to continue medication for the rest of my life. Yes, no one is flawless, but sometimes, God Almighty permits such occurrences.”
Diezani admitted to financial misconduct during her tenure as the petroleum minister and appealed to President Tinubu and Nigerians for forgiveness. She requested permission to return home and contribute, emphasizing the transient nature of life.
She disclosed her association with Dauda Lawal Dare, the current governor of Zamfara State, to whom she entrusted over 9 billion dollars for safekeeping while he served as the Executive Director of First Bank Nigeria PLC. Diezani expressed regret that Governor Dauda Lawal Dare was no longer responsive to her calls and had collaborated with the UK police to put her under surveillance.
It is noteworthy that a UK court is trying Alison-Madueke over bribery allegations, and the UK’s National Crime Agency suspects her of accepting bribes for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has submitted a warrant of arrest and an extradition request for Alison-Madueke. The EFCC has also commenced the process of extraditing her from the United Kingdom to Nigeria over 13-count charges of money laundering.
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