“$153 million, 80 houses recovered from Diezani Madueke”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered $153 million from former Minister of Petroleu, Diezani Alison-Madueke, this is according to the commissions chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

He also said no fewer than 80 choice property valued at $80m were also recovered from her.

This was contained in the April edition of the EFCC magazine; EFCC Alert, The PUNCH reports.

Bawa, however, noted that bringing the former minister to justice was still far from reality, given the fact that she was out of Nigeria’s jurisdiction, acknowledging the challenges associated with bringing her home to face justice.

The chairman said;

“There are several cases surrounding Diezani’s case. I was part of that investigation, and we have done quite a lot. In one of the cases, we recovered $153 million; we have secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $80 million. We have done quite a bit on that.

“The other cases as it relates to the $115 million INEC bribery is also ongoing across the federation. We are looking forward to the time we will, maybe, have her in the country, and, of course, review things and see what will happen going forward. The case has certainly not been abandoned.’’

When asked how he would handle powerful government officials in the discharge of his assignment as EFCC chair, Bawa said he would be ready to leave the job if anyone tried to make him do what was illegal.

I am not going to pay allegiance to individuals in the government,” he added.

Bawa pointed out that though he was young, he had paid the price on the job, having been among the pioneer staff of EFCC, rising through the ranks to reach the top.