The International Police has issued an arrest warrant for Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke.
The Interpol warrant followed a request by the Nigerian government to the agency, according to Sahara Reporters
Quoting sources, the online news platform said necessary charges had been filed and attached to the extradition request by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
By this request, all Interpol member countries were obliged to arrest the former minister anywhere she is seen on their territories.
Mrs Allison-Madueke had been holed up in London, United Kingdom for over three years.
The court had directed the Inspector-General of Police; the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Director-General of the State Security Service and all heads of other agencies to apprehend the ex-petroleum minister.
The judge further directed that the order which was signed by the court registrar, E. Balami, should be attached to a warrant for execution on Mrs Allison-Madueke.
The source said, “We have filed the necessary processes and the Interpol has red-flagged Allison-Madueke.
“This means that the extradition process has been kick-started and the former minister may be arrested by the United Kingdom police or any police agency all over the world and repatriated to Nigeria.” Sahara Reporters states on its website.
The former minister left the country for the UK shortly before the inception of the current administration but the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed charges against her.
Last month, Tony Orilade, acting spokesman of the commission, said EFCC had commenced the process for the extradition of Alison-Madueke.
Orilade said the EFCC’s operations department had made a presentation to the legal department to commence the process.
He, however, said the action had to be processed through the office of the attorney-general of the federation, explaining that it was not something the commission would commence and conclude on its own.
Alison-Madueke, who is also being investigated in the UK, had urged the federal government to bring her back to the country to face corruption charges against her.
