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EFCC to work with UK prosecutors in Diezani’s case
![](https://newstrends.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Diezani-Alison-Madueke-scaled.jpg)
EFCC to work with UK prosecutors in Diezani’s case
There were indications at the weekend that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will apply to a United Kingdom court as an interested party in the trial of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
A team of the anti-graft commission is billed for London to begin the process of filing papers as a party to the case.
The EFCC may also avail the UK court of its findings and the forfeiture order of a high court in Abuja on the former minister’s $2.5 million homes and cars.
Diezani has been on trial in the Southwark Crown Court in the UK for an alleged £100,000 bribe.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) alleged that Diezani might have “benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties”.
On October 2, 2023, a Magistrate Court granted bail to the ex-Minister for £70,000 after deeming her “a flight risk.”
The hearing of Diezani’s case will begin in November 2025.
According to a source, the EFCC is seeking to be an interested party in the case to enable Nigeria to have access to assets which may be seized from the ex-minister.
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The source said: “This country may not be able to retrieve questionable assets from Diezani if the EFCC does not file an application as an interested party.
“We have received an advisory on this important bend to Diezani’s trial and we will be part of the case in the UK.
“A team will leave for London any moment from now to explore legal opportunities and file necessary papers as an interested party.
“The overall aim is for Nigeria to benefit from Diezani’s trial, especially the recovery of all assets linked to funds looted in this country.
“The EFCC has sufficient evidence against Diezani, including a court order on the former minister’s $2.5million homes and cars.
“In another case, a former chairman of EFCC confirmed that the commission recovered $153million and secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $80million.
“The allegations against Diezani by the EFCC border on alleged stealing of about $2.5 billion from Nigeria’s coffers as a minister.
“It is necessary for this nation to rise to the occasion because, in March 2023, the NCA also provided evidence to the US Department of Justice that enabled them to recover assets totalling $53.1 million linked to Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.
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“Like the P&ID case, the EFCC has sufficient evidence to pull through a case against Diezani. We want all stolen, diverted and questionable assets back in the custody of Nigeria for the good use of our citizens.”
The source added: “I think the EFCC is collaborating with the NCA in the UK on this.
“It is also unclear if the UK court will ask Diezani to return to Nigeria to serve prison terms if convicted. This is why we also need to be an interested party in the case in the UK.”
Last year, the Head of the NCA’s international corruption unit (ICU), Andy Kelly, said the “charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation”.
“Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries.
“We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat.”
Diezani was arrested in London in 2015 shortly after stepping down as minister, and was charged in August with six bribery offences.
She has spent more than eight years on police bail, living in St John’s Wood, an expensive area of London.
EFCC to work with UK prosecutors in Diezani’s case
News
Senate okays bill for foreigners in Nigeria to obtain NIN
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Senate okays bill for foreigners in Nigeria to obtain NIN
The Senate has advanced a bill to grant all residents, including foreigners, the right to obtain and use the National Identification Number (NIN) sponsored by Deputy Senate President Barau I.
Jibrin (Kano North), the bill also aims to replace criminal penalties with administrative measures to ensure compliance without severe legal consequences.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North) presented the bill’s principles, emphasizing the need to repeal the current Act and establish a new regulatory framework for the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to enhance its oversight and regulation of Nigeria’s ID system.
“The bill’s objectives include expanding the eligible registrants under the Nigeria ID System to achieve inclusivity and universal coverage,” Senator Fasuyi explained.
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“It allows all residents in Nigeria to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) for official identification purposes.”
Furthermore, the bill proposes streamlined sharing of personal data with robust data protection measures to safeguard privacy and foster public trust in data handling.
It also enhances administrative enforcement powers to ensure timely compliance with ID registration requirements.
Importantly, the bill advocates for replacing criminal penalties with administrative measures for non-use of NIN, aiming to encourage compliance without burdening individuals with severe legal consequences.
After debates, the Senate proceeded to pass the bill, marking a significant step toward potential reforms in Nigeria’s identity management system.
Senate okays bill for foreigners in Nigeria to obtain NIN
News
I never lobbied to extend my tenure — IGP Egbetokun
![](https://newstrends.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Inspector-General-of-Police-IGP-Kayode-Egbetokun.jpg)
I never lobbied to extend my tenure — IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has debunked reports alleging that he has been lobbying the National Assembly to tamper with the Nigeria Police Act 2020 to elongate his tenure and year of service of personnel in the force.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed the IGP’s denial in a statement, saying it is vital to clarify unequivocally that the bill was originally introduced during the 8th Assembly but did not progress beyond the initial stages before the Assembly’s dissolution. It is standard legislative practice to review and update laws to align with current national realities.
The proposed amendment seeks to extend the years of service for police officers from 35 to 40 years, and the age limit from 60 to 65 years.
Adejobi said: “The Nigeria Police Force is deeply perturbed by the dissemination of false information across various media platforms, notably the distorted publication by an online media, regarding the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
“The misleading publications alleged that IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun personally initiated this bill to prolong his tenure as the 22nd indigenous Inspector General of Police, and has allegedly invested significantly in lobbying lawmakers to facilitate its passage.’
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Egbetokun decried a situation where certain media outlets and their sponsors had chosen to propagate baseless accusations, ignorantly disregarding the fact that any modification to existing legislation was designed to enhance its effectiveness and relevance.
The statement read: “To understand the true motivations behind this initiative, one needs only look at the Inspector General of Police steadfast commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police Force.
“His advocacy for this bill stems from a genuine belief in its potential to improve the conditions of service for police officers and thereby bolster security nationwide, rather than seeking personal gain. It comes from the place of duty rather than benefit.“
“Furthermore, it is important to note that the tenure of an Inspector General of Police is already prescribed as four years, with the President being the sole authority empowered to remove an IGP before the completion of his tenure.
”Furthermore, the Nigeria Police Force called on the public to exercise caution and discernment when consuming information, particularly from sources known for sensationalism and unverified claims.
“Such misinformation not only misleads but also detracts from constructive dialogue and efforts towards meaningful police reform.”
I never lobbied to extend my tenure — IGP Egbetokun
News
Despite generating $1tn in 40 years, Nigeria’s debt rose to $91.46bn — Agbakoba
![](https://newstrends.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr.-Olisa-Agbakoba.jpg)
Despite generating $1tn in 40 years, Nigeria’s debt rose to $91.46bn — Agbakoba
Human rights activist and senior lawyer, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, yesterday, said Nigeria’s public debt rose to $91.46 billion (N121.67 trillion), despite its ability to generate $1 trillion in 40 years.
Agbakoba identified the alleged exclusion of Nigerians from key value chains, weak enforcement of local content laws, incorporation of foreign agreements, tax avoidance and corruption as possible reasons for the development.
He also called for the implementation of new measures, including the increase of Nigerians’ participation in legal services, shipping, banking, insurance, drilling, oil field services and engineering within the oil and gas industry.
In his presentation, titled ”The Paradox of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: A Policy Paper”, at an engagement with the media in Lagos, Agbakoba, said: “Over the past 40 years, the cumulative revenue from oil and gas has exceeded $1 trillion, an amount that should have been sufficient to transform the nation’s economy and infrastructure.
“Yet, Nigeria consistently resorts to borrowing, with the total public debt standing at N121.67 trillion ($91.46 billion) as of March 31, 2024, according to the Debt Management Office, DMO.
“There are 36 value chains related to crude oil exploration, with at least seven crucial ones largely excluding Nigerian participation: Legal, shipping, banking, insurance, drilling, oil field services, engineering and construction.
“Over $1 billion worth of legal work is lost to foreign firms annually due to a perception of superior expertise and international experience.
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“Nigerian shipping companies are not engaged to ship crude oil products due to the absence of a legal framework for developing a national fleet of vessels, leading to significant loss of potential revenue and employment opportunities.
“Funds from crude oil production are often domiciled in foreign banks, sometimes held for months before remittance to the Central Bank of Nigeria, depriving Nigerian banks of substantial business and the economy of potential multiplier effects.
“The Nigerian insurance industry plays a very insignificant and limited role in the oil and gas Industry.
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