Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke on Monday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to list her as a defendant in a N500m fraud charge involving a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dele Belgore.

Background:

• The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Belgore together with a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, on a five-count bordering on N500m fraud.
• Diezani was named as an accomplice in the criminal trial and described at large.

What is happening:

Alison-Madueke, through her lawyer urged the court to compel the Attorney-General of the Federation to extradite her to Nigeria from the United Kingdom to defend herself.

Her counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu urged the court to grant his application for “joinder of the applicant” in the sole interest of justice.

“My lord, we have a motion dated Sept. 29 and an affidavit of 16 paragraphs together with a written address which we rely on.

“We have received the counter-affidavit of counsel, but there remains yet one consideration which should touch conscience of parties.

“In four counts of the charge, the applicant’s name was mentioned clearly and there is no alteration to the fact that she has been charged; it simply suggests that it is a consummated complaint.”

Justice Aikawa fixed Nov. 1 for ruling.

Azeez