The attorney-general of the
federation, Abubakar Malami, has said that Nigeria will not bring back Diezani
Alison-Madueke to face corruption charges.
The former minister of petroleum
had urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the AGF to bring her back
to Nigeria from the UK but The Punch reports that Malami who is also the
minister of justice said there was no need to.
The minister who was speaking on
Wednesday, October 4 said since the UK has opened investigations related to
corruption on the former minister, it was better she faced the investigation
there.
He however said Nigeria would
bring her back to the country if there was any need to.
“The truth of the matter is that
steps have been taken by the United Kingdom authorities on issues bothering on
corrupt practices involving Nigerians.
“If Nigeria feels strongly that
there is need to bring Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke here to face charges of
corruption, government will not hesitate to do that.
“As things are now, there is no need for that
since the UK Government is already investigating her and government will not
take any decision that will jeopardise what the UK Government is doing.”
He said it would be wrong for
anyone to think the government was not doing enough in dealing with the issue
of corruption.
On whether Diezani would get a fair
hearing in Nigeria, Malami said: “Well, the issue is not about fair hearing
now. We are talking about investigation first and is not within Mrs. Diezani
Allison-Madueke powers to ask the Federal Government to bring her to testify in
any case in Nigeria.
“Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is facing charges
of money laundering and acquisition of properties in United Kingdom. So, it is
important to face the charges there than for her to come as a mere witness in a
case in Nigeria.”
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