Why Nigeria is finding it difficult to extradite Diezani – SAN

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wahab Shittu, has shed light on the difficulties the federal government faces in bringing former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, back to Nigeria to stand trial.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Shittu described the process of extradition as fraught with “legal and extra-legal hurdles.”

He explained, “You know the extradition procedures of getting somebody who has taken flight from one country to another involve legal compliance procedures that must be satisfied before someone can be extradited to Nigeria. There are judicial procedures and international administrative protocols that must be complied with.”

According to him, both past and present Nigerian administrations have worked towards ensuring Alison-Madueke’s return to face charges, but these legal barriers have proven challenging.

“Successive Nigerian governments, particularly this administration, are making efforts to ensure Diezani is brought back to face her trials. However, legal and extra-legal hurdles remain a significant challenge,” he said.

Shittu emphasized the complexity of international justice systems but maintained that efforts must persist. “These challenges demonstrate the complexity of international justice systems, adding that efforts must continue until justice is served.”

In a related development, an asset return agreement worth $52.88 million, linked to Alison-Madueke and her associates, was recently signed between Nigeria and the United States. The funds were tied to assets known as Galactica.

The EFCC had accused the former minister of misappropriating $2.5 billion during her tenure. In October 2015, Alison-Madueke was arrested in the United Kingdom on charges of bribery and money laundering. More recently, in August 2023, the UK’s National Crime Agency alleged that she accepted bribes in exchange for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts.

Her trial continues at the Southwark Crown Court in the UK.