EFCC seizes cars, cash and jewellery from 5 of ex-minister’s associates

The suspects, who are connected to the investigation of Alison-Madueke for money laundering, have also had their movement restricted.

 
Former Petroleum minister, Deziani Allison-Madueke  Punch 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized cars, jewellery and large sums of money from five associates of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, reports say.

The suspects, who are connected to the investigation of Alison-Madueke for money laundering, have also had their movement restricted, according to The Nation.

“It is too early to declare whether they are guilty or not. But in line with international best practices, the EFCC has invoked the assets forfeiture clause in its Act to seize some choice bullet-proof vehicles, huge cash and jewellery from these suspects,” a source told The Nation.

“The movement of the affected suspects has also been restricted to Nigeria pending the conclusion of investigation. The case at hand involves a high-net worth syndicate with tentacles across the strata of the society. But we are already cracking the investigation,” the source added.

Alison-Madueke has been at the centre of controversy since she was detained by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in London on October 2 on allegations of money laundering.

The former minister has been accused of looting billions of dollars from Nigeria’s treasury.

Meanwhile, one of Alison-Madueke’s associates, oil tycoon, Kola Aluko, has admitted to paying rent for the luxury London home of the former minister’s mother, Beatrice Agama.

Mrs Agama is also involved in the case against her daughter as separate sums of £5,000 and $2,000 were seized from her by the NCA as part of its investigations.