“I’m Dying Of Cancer, Allow Me To Return To Nigeria” – Diezani Begs Tinubu

Former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke has made an appeal for leniency to the Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu.

KanyiDaily recalls that Diezani, who was the petroleum minister under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, had sought refuge in the United Kingdom amid fears of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Diezani, reportedly in the second stage of cancer, implored Tinubu to allow her to return to Nigeria to confess to financial misconduct during her tenure.

In a statement to the press in London after a medical visit, the ex-Petroleum minister, accused of embezzling billions of dollars from Nigeria, expressed her readiness to disclose details of the funds she allegedly misappropriated while in office.

According to the Nigerian Tribune, she stated, “I am now a born-again Christian and currently grappling with the second stage of cancer, for which my United Kingdom-based physician has advised me to continue medication for the rest of my life.

“Yes, no one is flawless, but sometimes, God Almighty permits such occurrences.

“I’ve been accused of financial misconduct during my tenure as the petroleum minister, and it’s true.

“However, I would like President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to forgive me, allow me to return home, and contribute because life is transient.”

She also mentioned her association with Dauda Lawal Dare, the current governor of Zamfara State, to whom she entrusted over 9 billion dollars for safekeeping while he served as the Executive Director of First Bank Nigeria PLC.

She said, “My husband and my entire family members, including my Nigeria lawyer based in the United Kingdom, knew my relationship with Dauda Lawal Dare, the current Zamfara State governor whom I entrusted over 9 billion dollars for safekeeping while he was the Executive Director of First Bank Nigeria PLC.

“Unfortunately, it has now come to a point that Mr Dauda Lawal is no longer picking my phone calls and even worked in collaboration with UK police to put me under surveillance, maybe to claim the money I entrusted to him when I die.”

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, submitted a warrant of arrest and a request to the Crown Prosecution Services of the United Kingdom for the urgent extradition of Allison-Madueke.

The EFCC revealed on October 2 that it had commenced the extradition process over 13-count charges of money laundering against Diezani.

KanyiDaily recalls that the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) recently charged Diezani Alison-Madueke, with bribery offences relating to her time as Nigeria’s minister of Petroleum Resources.