Be patient, EFCC tells Nigerians demanding extradition of Diezani

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked Nigerians demanding the extradition of Diezani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum resources, from the UK to Nigeria to be patient.

The anti-graft agency said this in a statement issued by Wilson Uwujaren, its spokesman, on Monday.

Alison-Madueke has been linked to some corruption cases in Nigeria and abroad. Some pieces of property which she allegedly owns have been seized by the government.

But the former minister insists that she has no case to answer, and that the seized pieces of property are not hers.

Speaking on behalf of Ibrahim Magu, acting EFCC Chairman,  to protesters who converged on the premises of the commission, on Monday, Emmanuel Aremo, EFCC secretary, said the anti-graft agency remained committed to the rule of law, “as this was paramount in the fight against corruption”.

“Let us be patient and let us follow due process, we on our part will ensure that no stone is left unturned as we intensify the war against corruption,” he said.

Aremo urged the group, which was led by Deji Adeyanju, and Charly Boy, not to relent in their support for the EFCC because “the anti-graft agency needed the partnership of every Nigerian in the fight against corruption”.

“I urge Nigerians to be patient, because extradition requires a painstaking process that must be followed,” he said.

While commending the EFCC for intensifying the fight against corruption, Charley Boy expressed concerns that “it is not enough for Diezani’s assets to be forfeited, there should be conviction”.