Former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke has been barred from leaving the United Kingdom until April, next year, investigations have revealed.
It is expected that between now and April 2016, the investigations into allegations against the former Nigerian minister would have been concluded, judiciary sources familiar with the case disclosed.
Mrs Alison-Madueke was last week Friday arrested along with four others by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA). She was granted bail same day but not before her international passport was seized.
On Monday, the London Westminster Magistrate’s Court on Marylebone Road, approved the holding of the £27,000 cash seized from Alison-Madueke, following an application brought by the NCA under the Proceeds of Crime Act in the UK.
The court also ruled that the cash can be held for six months – till April, next year when she is expected to be arraigned after investigations.
It was further learnt yesterday that the court granted the order that the ex-petroleum minister should remain in London while investigations last.
She will, however, be eligible to travel after an application has been brought before the court and approved.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who held forte as petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015, was one of the most powerful cabinet members in the immediate past administration and her ministry, was often at the centre of allegations of massive corruption even though she had consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The NCA, which leads the UK law enforcement’s fight to cut serious and organised crime, is working in partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the probe of the former minister. (Source: Informationng)