A former Minister of Petroleum
Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke,
has said she did not use her position to
steal Nigeria’s money.
Alison-Maduekwe, who looked frail told
the Publisher of Ovation Magazine and
TheBoss Newspaper, Dele Momodu, said
she performed her duties to the best of
her knowledge and abilities.
Alison-Madueke was recently arrested by
officials of the National Crime Agency,
United Kingdom over suspected money
laundering activities.
The former minister had been alleged to
have used her position as minister to
steal billions of naira from the country’s
coffers.
In June 2008, Alison-Madueke was
subject to a Senate probe after it
emerged that as Transport Minister she
had paid N30.9bn ($263m) to contractors
between December 26 and 31, 2007. She
is said to be worth over N1bn.
However, she has never been officially
charged or tried for these allegations and
has strongly denied any wrongdoing. She
was alleged to have spent billions of
dollars inappropriately on private jets and
responsible for some missing $20bn.
She is also widely accused of reckless
spending of government funds.
In October 2009, the Senate indicted her
and recommended prosecution for the
alleged transfer of N1.2bn into the
private account of a toll company without
due process and in breach of concession
agreement.
However, the allegations have never
been taken to law, and the former
minister had maintained innocence.
