Diezani’s extradition suffers setback due to her Dominican citizenship

Nigeria’s moves to actualize the extradition of former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke, from the U.K to face prosecution over alleged corruption, has suffered a major setback due to her Dominican citizenship.

An investigation by Al Jazeera reveals details of how Prime Minister of Dominican Republic, Roosevelt Skerrit, funds his election with sales of his country’s diplomatic passport without abiding by the rules of the United Nations in appointing ambassadors or diplomats.

According to the report, Diezani and other influential people took advantage of this deal to secure a Dominican Diplomatic Passport that prevents security agencies from investigating them.

According to reports, Diezani was issued a diplomatic passport by  the Dominican Government on May 21, 2015 shortly before Pres. Buhari was sworn in and her citizenship was confirmed by a May 29, 2015 approval letter.

She is said to now be immune from arrest and prosecution by any law enforcement agency, including the Interpol due to the fact that the diplomatic passport contains a restraining order against any arrest or prosecution.

Diezani is wanted by EFCC in connection with an alleged N23.29billion 2015 election bribery scam. The EFCC also wants  the ex-Minister to account for  N47.2 billion; $487.5million; N23,446,300,000 and $5milion in various banks.

Top among her 76 forfeited assets, is a $37.5million Banana Island property. She is also expected to account for the $6.9 million she allegedly spent on buying three 40-feet mobile stages for use during mass public speaking events.

But despite judgments and rulings by some Nigerian courts,  the EFCC is facing an uphill task to extradite the ex-Minister who is said to be fully taking advantage of the system in the U.K and Dominican Republic where she is a citizen.