From the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come a clarification why former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has not been repatriated to face the corruption allegation preferred against her.
According to the anti-graft agency, it is waiting for the conclusion of the corruption case she is facing in the United Kingdom (UK), before she would be extradited to answer for the alleged $115 billion election campaign scam for which many prominent Nigerians are being investigated.
Those that have been grilled in connection with the purported scam, which was allegedly carried out through Fidelity Bank, were former Governors Liyel Imoke, Ibrahim Shekarau, Ramalan Yero, Achike Udenwa and Ibrahim Shema. Erstwhile ministers have also been quizzed.
One-time Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bashir Aminu Wali and his Minister of State II, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammad had also been questioned in connection with the fund.
Others in that category are officials of the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) and those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as Senator Chris Anyanwu and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Michael Ahamba.
Though the senator, senior lawyer and Udenwa have since denied involvement.
Also yesterday, the anti-corruption body arrested a former Secretary to Bauchi State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, former Personal Assistant to ex-Governor Isa Yuguda, Alhaji Sanusi Mohammed Isa and the Secretary of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Salisu Garba in respect of the alleged fraud.
The Bauchi suspects were alleged to have collected N500 million out of the money.
An EFCC source said that they were arrested and interrogated in Gombe yesterday.
“The suspects, in their statements, said the N500 million cash was distributed in the Ramat Hall of Bauchi State Government House. The former secretary to the government and the secretary of PDP admitted collecting N20 million each and the former personal assistant collected N15 million. However, they have individually pledged to refund the amount each had collected from the fund,” the source added.
