DIEZANI NOT AT LARGE, READY TO STAND TRIAL IN NIGERIA, LAWYER TELLS COURT

IKOYI, Lagos, Nigeria – Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke has said she is not at large and that he is willing to return to Nigeria and stand for trial.

The former minister is seeking to be joined in the suit (FHC/L/35c/2017) involving former Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)Dele Belgore and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, over allegations of receiving N450 million.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which is prosecuting the case had also accused them of handling the said sum in cash without going through any financial institution, an offence which contravened the provisions of sections 1(a), 15(2)(d) and18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012. They however pleaded guilty.

Appearing before Justice Mohammed Aikawa, Diezani’s lawyer, Obinna Onya in an application, brought pursuant to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, sought an amendment to the charges against Belgore and Suleiman, so as to join Diezani.

The lawyer contended that contrary to the declaration by the EFCC that Diezani was at large, the former minister was in the United Kingdom and was willing to return to Nigeria to defend the charges.
The lawyer argued that since Diezani’s name had been mentioned in the charge, it will be against her right to fair hearing for the case to proceed without affording her the opportunity of defending herself.

He prayed for an order mandating the Attorney-General of the Federation to facilitate the prompt appearance of the applicant in court on the next adjourned date, to take her plea and to defend the allegations made against her.

Onya urged Justice Aikawa to hear and determine the application before proceeding with the case. But the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application, saying the application was not ripe for hearing as he had yet to be served.

However, Onya told the court that he had attempted to serve Oyedepo in court but that the prosecutor had declined service. In his decision, Justice Aikawa said the court could not entertain the application until all the parties had been properly served.