EFCC seeks arrest warrant for Diezani, as court fixes Feb 25 for arraignment

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has approached an FCT High Court in Apo with an ex parte application for a warrant of arrest against former petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Daily Trust reports.

Alison-Madueke was billed for arraignment yesterday along with a former Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling company, Olajide Omokore, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications.

However, when the matter was called, EFCC counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, approached the court with an oral application for a warrant of arrest to be issued against the former minister. He said while investigations were on going, AlisonMadueke left the country for the United Kingdom where she is still believed to be residing.

He also said Alison-Madueke refused to honour an invitation extended to her by the anti-graft agency, but added that processes were being set in place to ensure she comes back to face trial.

Abdullahi added the second defendant was also out of the country but with the permission of the court where he is already standing trial for another offence.

The trial judge, Justice Valentine Ashi, however told the EFCC to put its house in order by formally bringing the application for warrant of arrest before the court. The judge subsequently adjourned the substantive matter to February 25, 2019 for arraignment.

The anti-graft agency’s counsel told our reporter in a phone interview yesterday evening that the warrant of arrest application had already been filed after the day’s proceedings.