A former petroleum minister during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who fled to the United Kingdom due to concern
A former petroleum minister during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who fled to the United Kingdom due to concerns about the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has now appealed to the Nigerian government for clemency.
She is currently, in the second stage of her battle with cancer, Diezani has reached out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, requesting permission to return to Nigeria and admit to her financial misconduct during her tenure.
While addressing the situation in London after a medical visit, the ex-petroleum minister, accused of embezzling billions of dollars, has expressed her willingness to disclose details of the funds she allegedly misappropriated while in office.
“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”, she disclosed.
“I’ve been accused of financial misconduct during my tenure as the petroleum minister, and it’s true! However, I would like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians to forgive me, allow me to return home, and contribute because life is transient,” Diezani tearfully said.
Diezani Alison-Madueke disclosed her association with Dauda Lawal Dare, the current governor of Zamfara State, during which she entrusted over 9,000,000,000 dollars to him for safekeeping.
At the time, Lawal Dare served as the Executive Director of First Bank Nigeria PLC.
However, she lamented that her attempts to reach Dauda have been unsuccessful, and she expressed concern that he is now unresponsive to her calls.
Furthermore, she claimed that Lawal Dare has collaborated with the UK police to subject her to surveillance, raising suspicions that there might be intentions to claim the entrusted funds in the event of her demise.
She said, “My husband and my entire family members including My Nigeria lawyer based in the United Kingdom knew my relationship with Dauda Lawal Dare, the current Zamfara State governor who I entrusted over 9 billion dollars for safe keeping while he was the Executive Director of the First Bank Nigeria PLC.
“Unfortunately, it has now come to a point that Mr Dauda Lawal is no longer picking my phone calls and even worked in Collaboration with UK police to put me under Surveillance, may be to claim the Money I entrusted to him when I die.”
