You Lack Understanding About the Powers of a President, Alison-Madueke Tells EFCC

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of displaying lack of understanding of the constitutional powers of a president in managing funds meant for security/intelligence agencies.

She said this in response to a report that she withdrew N1.3 billion from the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

In a statement issued on her behalf by Clem Aguiyi, her media aide, the ex-minister said the anti-graft agency ought to seek clarity about the process for release of funds requested by security/intelligence agencies.

Quoting Section 5 of the Constitution, Alison-Madueke said all executive powers are vested in the president who may exercise it directly or through the vice-president or ministers.

She argued that as minister of petroleum resources, she was an appointee and delegate of the president.

“On the issue in question, the minister of petroleum resources acted on the basis of the written approvals and directives given by the president, which approvals were given after written requests from the relevant security agencies were made to the president,” she said.

“At such instances, as in fact the article clearly shows, a service chief or intelligence chief, makes a written request/ appeal to Mr President outlining whatever urgent and critical security needs of the nation they consider imminently paramount, at any given point in time.