I Never Stole Nigeria's Money - Diezani Alison-Madueke

 

Following series of allegations against Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources has finally broken her silence.

Alison-Madueke has defended herself against the allegations, saying that she never used her position to steal from Nigeria.

A frail looking Alison-Madueke told the Publisher of Ovation Magazine and The Boss Newspaper, Dele Momodu, that she performed her duties to the best of her knowledge and abilities.

The former minister had been alleged to have used her position as minister to steal billions of naira from the country’s coffers.

Of the many allegations leveled against the former minister are; spending billions of dollars inappropriately on private jets and being responsible for some missing $20bn, and that previously  as Transport Minister she had paid N30.9bn ($263m) to contractors between December 26 and 31, 2007.

She is also widely accused of reckless spending of government funds.

In October 2009, the Senate indicted her and recommended prosecution for the alleged transfer of N1.2bn into the private account of a toll company without due process and in breach of concession agreement.

However,  she has continued to  maintain her innocence of all allegations denying any wrong doing.

Alison-Madueke was recently arrested by officials of the National Crime Agency, United Kingdom over suspected money laundering activities.