Home NEWS Nigeria’ll Not Interfere With Uk’s Investigation Of Diezani, Justice Minister

Nigeria’ll Not Interfere With Uk’s Investigation Of Diezani, Justice Minister

Minister of Justice, Malami Abubakar
Minister of Justice, Malami Abubakar

The minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has said that Nigeria will not interfere with the current investigation being carried out on the Nigeria’s former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke for money laundering.
The minister, who answered reporters’ questions in Hausa language shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa today, Wednesday, said there is no need for Nigerian government to request for her extradition.
“As things are now, there is no need for that since the U.K. Government is already investigating her on. Nigerian government will not take any decision that will jeopardize what the U.K. Government is doing.”
Abubakar Malami said that steps have been taken by the United Kingdom authorities on issues bothering on corrupt practices involving Nigerians, adding that the government is doing something, especially on issues of corruption and litigation in Nigeria and outside the country.
“Considering the fact that there is an existing understanding between Nigeria and other countries especially United Kingdom on the recovery of stolen funds, so you cannot say government is not doing anything.
“If Nigeria feels strongly that there is need to bring  Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke here to face charges of corruption, government will not hesitate to do that.”
On whether the former minister will get fair hearing, the Justice minister said that what is important now is that she is being investigated by the UK government, adding that it is not within Mrs Diezani’s power to ask the Nigerian government to bring her to testify in any case in Nigeria.
“Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke is facing charges of money laundering and acquisition of properties in the United Kingdom so it is important to face the charges there than for her to come as a mere witness in a case in Nigeria.”