It has been exclusively and authoritatively reported that Nigeria's former Petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been arrested by the UK National Crime Agency.
Diezani Alison-Madueke
According to an exclusive report on
Premium Times, the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was today, 2nd October, arrested in the UK by the National Crime Agency.
She was arrested alongside four other people by the British law enforcement agency. The identities of the four other people arrested along with her could not be immediately ascertained.
The former minister, who was one of the most powerful officials of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, was arrested for offences related to bribery and corruption being investigated by the UK National Crime Agency.
Two top British officials in London have however confirmed the development to Premium Times. They requested not to be named because they have no permission to speak on the issue.
The British High Commission in Nigeria confirmed that some arrests were made Friday but declined to disclose the identities of those involved.
Press and Public Affairs Officer, Joseph Abuku, disclosed to Premium Times; "This morning, five people between the ages of 21 and 60 were arrested on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences. The crimes are being investigated by the National Crime Agency.
The National Crime Agency does not confirm identity at arrest nor provide information that could be used to corroborate the identity of an arrested individual."
President Muhammadu Buhari had on September 27 hinted that those who misappropriated billions of naira belonging to Nigeria’s state oil company NNPC, would soon be prosecuted.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke, accused of several corrupt dealings, has stayed away from Nigeria since Mr. Buhari was sworn-in as president.
It is not clear whether the former minister was arrested based on request from the Nigerian government.
We'll be bringing you more details on this report as soon as it's made available.