Laolu Akande, a former aide to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has called on Diezani Alison-Madueke to come back to Nigeria and address the corruption allegations against her. Speaking during a Friday interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief,’ Akande stated that her acquittal by a UK court does not absolve her of legal responsibilities in Nigeria.
He emphasized that the former Minister of Petroleum Resources still has unresolved cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to Akande, the ex-minister should seize this opportunity to return and defend herself in her home country, where multiple properties linked to her have already been forfeited through court orders.
The UK court’s decision to clear Alison-Maduewe of all charges has been described as ‘exciting news’ by Akande, but he stressed that the legal battles in Nigeria remain. He urged her to face the EFCC cases, noting that the time is ripe for her to clear her name on home soil.
Since leaving office in 2015, Alison-Madueke has faced numerous corruption probes both locally and internationally. The EFCC has successfully obtained several court-ordered asset forfeitures and has consistently sought her extradition from the UK.