We have uncovered Diezani’s $37.5m Lagos mansion, says EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has uncovered $37.5m property on Banana Island, Lagos, which Diezani Alison-Madueke allegedly acquired through a shell company.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement it shared on Twitter on Saturday.

EFCC Uncovers Mansion at Banana Island Worth $37.5m Allegedly Acquired by Diezani. https://t.co/6HpfyYIu8d

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) February 11, 2017

Advertisement

A shell company is usually a dormant company used for questionable financial activities.

Alison-Madueke, a former minister of petroleum, has been in the UK since former President Goodluck Jonathan left office.

Last month, she released a statement where she admitted making mistakes, but maintained that one error that can never be ascribed to her is stealing.

“The aggressive drive by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to recover all hidden assets of former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke who is under investigation for corruption and money laundering produced another breakthrough this week with the discovery of a property acquired through shell companies by the former minister at upscale Banana Island in Lagos,” it said.

“The property building 3, block B, is a fifteen-storey edifice comprising of 18 flats and 6 penthouses, Bella Vista at Plot 1, Zone N, Federal Government Layout, Banana Island Layout, Foreshore Estate, Off Onikoyi Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

“The property was allegedly acquired by the former minister between 2011 and 2012 at a total cost of thirty seven million, five hundred thousand United States Dollars ($37,500,000USD) from the developers, YF Construction Development and Real Estate.

“The property was allegedly acquired in the name of a shell company, Rusimpex Limited under the control of certain Mr Afamefuna Nwokedi of Stillwaters law firm, in Lagos.”

On Friday, the EFCC disclosed that it recovered the sums of $9.8m and £74, 000 from the residence of Andrew Yakubu, a former group managing director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).