A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, has pointed to the complex legal procedures involved in extradition as the primary reason why the Nigerian government has been unable to properly prosecute former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke for over eight years.
Recall that Alison-Madueke, who served as Minister of Petroleum under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is accused of embezzling millions of dollars during her tenure.
Since the conclusion of Jonathan’s administration, she has been residing in the United Kingdom and has failed to appear in Nigerian courts for the cases initiated against her by the government.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Shittu explained that the extradition process involves strict legal and international procedures that must be met before an individual can be returned to Nigeria for trial.
He stated that while efforts have been made by successive Nigerian governments, particularly the current administration, to secure the extradition of Alison-Madueke, the process remains complicated due to both legal and extra-legal challenges.
“You know the extradition procedures of getting somebody who has taken flight from one country to another country involves some legal compliance procedures that must be satisfied before somebody can be brought or extradited from another country to Nigeria.
“There are judicial procedures, there are also some administrative international procedures that must be complied with.
“I think efforts are being made by successive Nigerian governments, particularly this administration, to ensure that those who have fled the country particularly Diezani, are extradited back to the country to face their trials.
“That difficulty is because you have legal and extra-legal hurdles to surmount if this is to be achieved,” Shittu said.
Additionally, the Nigerian government recently received $52.88 million in recovered assets linked to Alison-Madueke from the United States.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed the asset recovery during a signing ceremony in Abuja.
Of the recovered funds, $50 million will be allocated to a rural electrification project through the World Bank, while the remaining $2 million will support the International Institute of Justice to enhance the justice system and combat corruption.
