We Started Investigating Alison-Madueke Since 2013 – NCA

Minister-of-Petroleum-Resources-Mrs-Diezani-Alison-Madueke

The U.K National Crime Agency has revealed that contrary to speculations, the corruption investigation leading to the arrest of Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke started in 2013.

The news of Alison-Madueke’s investigation and arrest by the NCA on Friday was attributed to President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent meeting with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, and other world leaders.

The ex-minister and four others were arrested by the NCA’s recently formed International Corruption Unit in London, as part of an investigation into suspected bribery and money laundering offences.

Alison-Madueke was, however, granted bail while unconfirmed reports say her passport was withheld by the British authorities, pending further investigations, both in the UK and other countries.

In an update on its website, the NCA noted that contrary to the general belief that the investigation started recently, it said the probe started about two years ago.

“The investigation commenced in 2013 under the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year (2015). The International Corruption Unit investigates bribery of foreign public officials by individuals or companies from the UK and money laundering by corrupt foreign officials and their associates”, it stated.

The UK crime agency added that the ICU would also trace and recover the proceeds of the former minister’s alleged corruption and support Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies with international anti-corruption investigations.