By our reporter| Fugitive former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, facing several corruption charges on Wednesday recieved temporary relief following the decision of a court not to order her immediate arrest.
Mrs Alison-Madueke, who left the country for the UK shortly after 2015 presidential election, is also being investigated for money laundering in that country.
The EFCC had earlier in the year said the commission was determined to extradite her to Nigeria to face corruption charges.
The anti-graft agency on Wednesday told a federal court in Abuja that it needed an official arrest warrant to be able to extradite her to Nigeria.
But presiding Judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu of the federal high court Abuja, however, refused to grant the request.
According to her, the commission must provide evidence that an order of summon earlier issued by the court was not sufficient to extradite the former minister.
She said, “I have carefully pursued the application of the prosecution. The earlier order of the court was made pursuant to Section 831 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Court orders are not made in vain.”
“It is my view that the summons should have assisted in the extradition of the defendant by the Office of the AGF. Today, the defendant is not in court and no reason was given. I am being informed that the defendant is believed to be in the United Kingdom.”
“The learned counsel also informed the court that the extradition process has failed as a result of the absence of the warrant of arrest. But if that is the case, learned counsel shall file an affidavit to that effect supported by evidence from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
“I hereby give you time to put your house in order.”
But responding, EFCC counsel, Farok Abdullah, told the court that the agency had already complied with the court orders.
Abdullah said, “This is evident by an affidavit of compliance filed in this case and before your lordship. It was filed on October 8, 2020.”
“My lord, this honourable court issued a summon for the defendant to appear today but the defendant has failed to appear. Giving the aforesaid fact, I apply that a warrant of arrest be issued against the defendant pursuant to Section 83(1b) of the ACJA 2015.”
“We urge the court, in making the order, to direct all law enforcement agencies and the INTERPOL to arrest the defendant anywhere she is sighted and be brought before the court to answer to the allegation made against her before this honorable court,” he said.
The lawyer said that the agency is working with the attorney-general to contact any country the defendant may be residing with the sole purpose of extraditing her in line with the Extradition Act and General Convention of Nations.
He also said the initial summon had not materialised, so the need for an arrest warrant is urgent.
The trial judge adjourned the matter to December 3, for report and arraignment of the defendant.
Dieziani Alison-Madueke is facing various corruption allegations for her role in a number of cases while serving as petroleum minister.
She has since denied any wrong doing.
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