The families of the former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has said that she was never arrested over allegations of money laundering and bribery levelled against her.
According to them, she was only invited by the British police over a matter which said was yet to be disclosed.
She was invited along with four others by the United Kingdom’s National Crimes Agency (NCA) last Friday but she denied being questioned over allegations of fraud.
The families who spoke through a statement by Oscar M. Onwudiwe, the legal attorney to the Agama and Madueke families, on Thursday, also refuted media reports that her international passport was not seized..
The statement accused the media of choosing to engage in “a frenzy” rather than contact the family for its reaction.
The statement reads, “The Madueke family is appalled at the ongoing media frenzy against Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke following an invitation to her by the British authorities last Friday for reasons which have yet to be disclosed.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the family would like to state categorically that it has no issues with any persons from the family being invited anywhere in the world to answer questions about their private or official conduct.
“The Madueke family believes in law and order, honour and due process
“It is a deliberate and vicious campaign to demonise members of the Madueke family, with all manner of frivolous allegations”
The statement reads, “It is worth emphasising that Mrs Alison-Madueke was never arrested or detained and her passport was never seized. She was merely invited, and she honoured it promptly.
“ The Madueke family, like most other families, have their own challenges. For instance, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has been receiving treatment for cancer in the UK which started while she was in office.
“The health crisis has unfortunately exacerbated in recent times. She completed months of chemotherapy just last week and she is scheduled to undergo surgery next week in London.
“The family has been bearing this challenge with prayers and as much grace and fortitude as possible; and would plead with all reasonable Nigerians to pray for her recovery so that she can face this allegation and give account of her stewardship. Yes, she can—and very well, too.
“The Madueke and Agama families would want the decent public to know that neither Ugonna nor Somze or Abiye or anyone related to the two families was picked up or arrested or invited for questioning by anybody whatsoever. Ugonna’s father (the Rear Admiral) has been in Lagos and working in his office.
“The lies about his having travelled with a team of lawyers should please stop. The Madueke family has taken a decision on how to appropriately deal with those who are on a mission to soil their hard earned family name.”
On the ex-minister’s mother, the statement said: “Mrs. Beatrice Agama, the 81-year old mother of Mrs. Diezani Madueke, owns a house in the United Kingdom. A LIE! Mrs. Agama has no house or property in the United Kingdom.
“She has been staying in a rented two-bedroom flat from where she is receiving medical attention for a broken femur”
