Former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke is scheduled to go on trial before a Federal High Court, Abuja, for conspiracy and gratifications.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today, Monday, got leave of the court to commence her trial, along with a former Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling company, Olajide Omokore, beginning from February 25, next year.
The suspects are to be arraigned for allegedly accepting and giving gifts of properties described as penthouse 22, Block B, Admiralty Estate, Ikoyi, and penthouse 21, building 5, block C, Banana Island, Lagos.
Alison-Madueke and Omokore are to be arraigned on five counts bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications.
Diezani had last year said: “let me re-state categorically as I have always maintained, for the record, I have not and will never steal money from or defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria, Diezani said in a statement last year in response to several allegations of financial impropriety levelled against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“I am willing to respond to charges brought against me that follow duly laid down procedures.”
She said that the anti-graft agency was taking advantage of her silence to try and convict her in the media hence her response.
