Former minister of petroleum Diezani loses N7.6b loot

The Federal High Court in Lagos Monday ordered the final forfeiture of N7.6billion allegedly stolen by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

“I’ve read the motion on notice seeking the final forfeiture of the sum of N7,646,700,000 reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, said Justice Abdulazeez Anka.

“I have also gone through the affidavit in support of the application.

He granted an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the money’s final forfeiture to the Federal Government.

“In the circumstances, I am of the view that the application has merit and is hereby granted as prayed. Parties have a right of appeal.”

Moving the application, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said the money was part of “huge sums” allegedly diverted by Mrs Alison-Madueke from various subsidiaries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

According to him, it was “fraudulently converted from NNPC by Mrs Alison-Madueke”.