The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized bullet-proof vehicles, huge cash and jewellery from five prominent Nigerians fingered in the money laundering allegation against former Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, The Nation reports.
EFCC and its British counterpart, National Crime Agency (NCA), are spreading the dragnet to round up more accomplices in the case.
Four persons were arrested after Diezani was picked up in London on October 2. (LINK – http://dailypost.ng/2015/10/05/identities-of-those-arrested-along-with-diezani-revealed/)
Latest reports say EFCC has restricted the movement of the “high-profile” suspects to Nigeria, pending the conclusion of investigation.
Some of them may be extradited to the United Kingdom (UK), to face prosecution.
EFCC has been searching companies and homes of the suspects in Abuja and Lagos.
A top source told the newspaper that: “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.
‘’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.’’
On location of trial he said: “It is uncertain or remote because the NCA has initiated a process in the UK, we will not want to duplicate the process.
“If necessary, some of the suspects might be extradited to the UK for trial. This depends on NCA because EFCC is only collaborating with the agency.”
Some NCA officials, it was gathered, were also in the country to work with EFCC on the case.
Indications emerged at the weekend that security has been beefed up around Diezani at her abode in the UK.
(LINK – http://dailypost.ng/2015/11/01/security-beefed-up-around-diezani-after-cancer-surgery/)
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