Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Petroleum Minister of Nigeria, now residing in the United Kingdom, has publicly admitted to embezzling funds from her home country. In a recent press briefing in London, Madueke disclosed that she had entrusted a staggering nine billion dollars to the current Governor of Zamfara State.
Madueke, who previously served as the petroleum minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, is believed to have fled to the United Kingdom out of concern for potential arrest by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Currently battling cancer, Diezani is making an appeal to the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to permit her return to the country and confess to her financial wrongdoing during her tenure in office.
Despite being accused of embezzling billions of dollars from Nigeria, Diezani expressed her readiness to provide detailed information about the allegedly misappropriated funds. In her plea, she stated, “I am now a born-again Christian and currently grappling with the second stage of cancer, for which my United Kingdom-based physician has advised me to continue medication for the rest of my life. Yes, no one is flawless, but sometimes, God Almighty permits such occurrences.”
Acknowledging the accusations of financial misconduct during her time as the petroleum minister, Diezani humbly asked President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians for forgiveness, expressing her desire to return home and contribute positively. “Life is transient,” she emphasized, signaling a plea for understanding and redemption.
Diezani Alison-Madueke discussed her ties with the current Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal Dare. Madueke claimed to have entrusted over 9 billion dollars to Lawal when he served as the Executive Director of First Bank Nigeria PLC. However, she expressed concern that Lawal, who is now the Zamfara State governor, has stopped responding to her calls and may be collaborating with UK police to surveil her, possibly with the intention of claiming the entrusted funds after her demise.
