EFCC plans to launch fresh investigations into Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Diezani

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials have revealed that it will soon begin a probe of former Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and her Petroleum Sector counterpart Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in May last year, his government has made the war against corruption its number one priority. Several government officials and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been arrested by the EFCC and charged with corruption.
 
Intending to move the process forward, the EFCC now intends to investigate the ministries of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and Mrs. Alison-Madueke. Acting EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu, told legislators this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes to defend the Commission’s 2016 budget proposals.
 
In his presentation before the lawmakers, Mr. Magu tactically avoided giving direct answers to questions on whether Alison-Madueke would come under the searchlight of the agency. He, however, said that the commission will soon move into the petroleum sector and called on the National Assembly to support the efforts of the agency by making more funds available for its operations.
 
Shortly after his presentation, a member of the committee, Hon. Razak Atunwa, said that Mr. Magu actually informed the committee that Ms Alison-Madueke, Okonjo-Iweala and an oil baron would be investigated.  Hon. Atunwa was the lawmaker, who asked Mr. Magu the question on whether the commission would probe the oil sector.
 
“I said the EFCC has recovered a lot of money for Nigeria and he mentioned that in that regard, more sectors of the economy are likely to come under investigative activities. I asked if it will it include the petroleum sector and he said yes.
 
"And I asked would it include investigating the following people Diezani Alison-Madueke, Okonjo-Iweala and a particular oil magnate, and he said yes, those people are already under their investigative radar,” Hon. Atunwa added.
 
It is believed that Switzerland might extradite the oil merchant to the United Kingdom to face trial along with Mrs. Alison-Madueke. Currently in London where she is facing corruption and money laundering charges and the possibility of being jailed Mrs. Alison-Madueke was arrested on October 2 by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA).
 
She has been released on bail after an injunction was obtained to seize £27,000 from her and she was asked to deposit her passport with the court. Mrs. Alison-Madueke claims she is suffering from cancer, however, adding that she needs intensive treatment.

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