In the wake of events that led to the arrest of former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, in London by UK's National Crimes Agency (NCA), and a search of her Abuja residence on Friday by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives, more details have emerged.
The NCA in an update on its website said investigation into allegations of corruption against Alison-Madueke, and the four other people arrested alongside her had commenced since 2013.
“The investigation commenced in 2013" the UK national law enforcement agency said, "under the Proceeds of Corruption Unit, and transferred to the NCA earlier this year,”
Although all five people arrested were released on "conditional police bail" it is notable that the agency said the release was "pending further investigation both in the UK and overseas [Nigeria presumably]"
Mrs. Alison-Madueke and her alleged accomplices have reportedly been barred from travelling out of the UK pending the conclusion of investigations and arraignment in court.
Reports say her passport was confiscated and she is expected to report at Charing Cross Police Station, Monday morning to be [hopefully] arraigned in court before the end of the day.
If convicted, she may face up to a 14-year jail sentence.
The raid by EFCC officials on the Asokoro, Abuja residence of the former minister was also speculated to have led to the recovery of a total of N1.2m in cash.
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