A Federal High Court inwards Lagos on Wed ordered that a $37.5 1 chiliad m belongings owned yesteryear erstwhile oil government minister Diezani Alison-Madueke survive seized every bit she faces charges of corruption together with coin laundering.
The Economic together with Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Anselem Ozioko told the courtroom that the fiscal crimes means suspected the belongings was acquired alongside the proceeds of alleged illegal activities.
The U.S.A. Justice Department filed a civil complaint final Fri aimed at recovering almost $144 1 chiliad m inwards assets allegedly obtained through bribes to Alison-Madueke, oil government minister from 2010 to 2015 nether the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.
Ozioko said the EFCC’s investigation revealed that the erstwhile government minister made the $37.5m payment for the belongings inwards cash, adding that the coin was moved instantly from her solid inwards Abuja together with paid into the seller’s concern human relationship inwards Abuja.
Ozioko said: “Nothing could survive to a greater extent than suspicious than individual keeping such huge amounts inwards her apartment. Why was she doing that? To avoid attention.
“We are convinced beyond reasonable uncertainty because every bit of the fourth dimension this happened, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke was even together with thence inwards world service every bit the Minister of Petroleum Resources.”
Alison-Madueke's whereabouts are unclear, exactly she was final known to survive inwards Britain.
In April, she was charged inwards absentia alongside coin laundering yesteryear Nigeria's fiscal crimes agency.
She had previously denied whatever wrongdoing when questioned almost corruption allegations.
On Wed the Federal High Court inwards the commercial upper-case alphabetic quality Lagos issued the lodge over Alison-Madueke's belongings inwards Banana Island district which she bought inwards 2013.
It every bit good ordered a temporary freeze on sums of $2.74 1 chiliad m together with 84.54 1 chiliad m naira ($269,000) that were said to survive piece of employment of the rent collected on the property.
The temporary seizure orders were made next an application to the courtroom yesteryear EFCC.