Diezani Alison-Madueke
United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency has provided more information on Friday’s arrest of Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, former petroleum minister, under Goodluck Jonathan, revealing for the first time that the woman has been under watch since 2013.
Her offence: suspected bribery and money laundering.
The revelation showed that her arrest and that of four other accomplices, yet to be identified, merely coincided with President Muhammadu Buhari avowed plan to nail all those who looted Nigeria’s treasury during the Goodluck Jonathan era.
“Today On Friday 2nd October, the National Crime Agency’s recently formed International Corruption Unit arrested five people across London as part of an investigation into suspected bribery and money laundering offences.
“All five people arrested were released on conditional police bail later that evening, pending further investigation both in the UK and overseas.
“The investigation commenced in 2013 under the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year. ”
According to information on its website, in line with the UK Anti-Corruption Plan, the ICU replaces the MPS Proceeds of Corruption Unit and the City of London Police Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit.
On its website, Five people arrested on suspicion of bribery and money laundering, the International Corruption Unit (ICU) of the National Crime Agency investigates:
- Bribery of foreign public officials by individuals or companies from the UK; and
- Money laundering by corrupt foreign officials and their associates.
The ICU will also:
- Trace and recover the proceeds of international corruption;
- Support foreign law enforcement agencies with international anti-corruption investigations;
- Engage with government and business to reduce the UK’s exposure to the proceeds of corruption; and
- Work with business to support increased compliance with the Bribery Act 2010
The ICU draws on the specialist support available to it within the NCA, and works closely with other UK law enforcement agencies and overseas partners.
Meanwhile in Nigeria, ICU’s partner, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is yet to arrest Jide Omokore, a known business ally of Diezani. He was said to be out of town at the time of the multiple raids.
Operatives of the agency stormed Omokore’s homes in Abuja and Lagos yesterday,but they were unable to effect the arrest of the oil mogul, whose company, Atlantic Energy, was involved in the multi-billion dollar oil deals, now under investigation.
EFCC operatives also raided the NICON estate home, Lekki, of the company secretary for SPOG, Omokore’s second oil company today. The official, Chijioke Isolu, who also doubles as Omokore’s personal assistant, was invited for questioning at the EFCC headquarters, but later allowed to go home.
Source: pmnewsnigeria.com
We’ve been monitoring Diezani since 2013 for money laundering, bribery – UK Crime Agency
0 Comments: