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Shocker: How Diezani Stole N47.2bn, $487.5m -EFCC Offers Details

Published

9 years ago

August 9, 2017

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has so far traced N47.2 Billion and $487.5 Million in cash and properties to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is in London, United Kingdom, where she is ostensibly treating cancer and facing likely prosecution for graft.

Two officers of the EFCC, Tony Orilade and Aishah Gambari, in an article they released on line on Wednesday, revealed details of the stealing said to be the biggest burst by the anti-graft Commission bust in Nigeria’s history.

The article is reproduced below verbatim.

DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE: What an Appetite!

N47.2 Billion and $487.5 Million in cash and properties have so far been traced to the former Minister of Petroleum Resources in the Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. This followed painstaking investigations by operatives of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

TONY ORILADE/AISHAH GAMBARI

From time immemorial, precious metals – gold, silver and sparkling stones such as diamonds have delighted women. Relationships have been built and destroyed, wars fought for and reconciliations cemented with gold and precious stones. Not too far back in history, Liberia was the theatre of war over Blood Diamonds.

Unlike Liberia however, the Nigerian nation is not at war. But, it seems Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, until recently, Minister of Petroleum Resources, going by the sheer amount of her acquisition of gold and diamonds, may have been fighting a spirited war against millions of compatriots who are heavily and unevenly yoked by crass poverty. To boot, the former minister is accused of having stolen – in broad daylight – the money that funded her acquisitive binge.

A search of one of Alison-Madueke’s palatial residences in Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, turned up boxes of gold, silver and diamond jewelry, worth several million pounds sterling.

Apart from the jewelry, the EFCC, Nigeria’s foremost anticorruption agency, has traced N47.2 Billion and $487.5 Million in cash and properties to the former Minister of Petroleum Resources in Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The former minister who has been in London since the birth of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, has however continued to deny any financial misdeed. She insists she is being severely maligned and persecuted by the EFCC. But, on the strength of weighty evidences placed before Nigerian courts, there are a string of judicial pronouncements ordering the forfeiture of all allegedly ill-gotten wealth to Alison-Madueke’s former employers, the Federal Government of Nigeria.

One of the constitutional requirements to be appointed to public office in Nigeria, is the total declaration of all personal assets. It does seem like that provision was observed more in the breach by Alison-Madueke.

The EFCC, in the course of investigation, traced another property valued at $37.5m to the former minister in Banana Island, Lagos. She was said to have purchased the 15-storey building, which comprises 18 flats and six penthouses, between 2011 and 2012from the developers, YF Construction and Real Estate. The property was allegedly acquired in the name of a shell company, Rusimpex Limited, which is managed by one Afamefuna Nwokedim, Principal Partner, Stillwaters Law Firm, Lagos.

On August 7, 2017, Justice Chuka Obiozor, a vacation judge sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the final forfeiture of a $37.5m (N11.75bn) (Eleven Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) property on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos allegedly belonging to Diezani Alison-Madueke. The order followed an exparte application filed on July 17, 2017 by the EFCC.

At the last adjourned sitting on July 19, 2017, counsel to the EFCC, A.B.C. Ozioko, while moving the ex-parte application, had urged the court to order the forfeiture of the total sum of US$2, 740,197.96 and N84, 537,840.70 respectively found by the Commission in Rusimpex USD account No. 1013612486 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Ozioko had also urged the court to order an interim forfeiture of the assets and property. Ruling on the applications, Justice Obiozor had ordered the respondents- Deziani, Afamefuna Nwokedi and Rusimpex Limited- to show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge had further ordered the publication of the interim order in any national newspaper for the respondents or anyone who is interested in the property to appear before the court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of the property should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

At the resumed hearing on August 7, counsel to the EFCC argued that the failure of the second and third respondent, Nwokedi and Rusimex meant that “they are not willing to contest the application”.

In his ruling, Justice Obiozor ordered the final forfeiture of the property to the Federal government, in view of the failure of any interested parties or persons to contest the interim forfeiture order as published in a national newspaper by the Commission. The court also ordered the permanent forfeiture of the sums of US$2, 740,197.96 and N84, 537,840.70respectively realized as rent on the property.

But, by far the most numbing, record-shattering acquisitions of Alison-Madueke, is to be found in the ritzy, nouveaux richesplayground of Banana Island, Lagos. It consists of two apartments at the Bella Vista Court. The apartments which are Penthouses, are located on Block C-5, Flat 21, Plot 1, Zone N. For them, a $350 Million (Three Hundred and Fifty Million US Dollar) hole was allegedly dug in the Nigerian treasury on November 22, 2011, by Alison-Madueke.

Also in Lagos, Alison-Madueke allegedly bought a block of six units serviced apartments at number 135, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, just a few hundred metres away from the EFCC zonal operations hub. The apartment has a standby power generating set, sporting facilities, play ground and a water treatment plant. The property was bought at the rate of N800 Million (Eight Hundred Million Naira) on January 6, 2012.

Other properties in Yaba, Lagos, also discovered by the eagle eyes of the Commission’s operatives, are located at number 7, Thurnburn Street and 5, Raymond Street. The Thurnburn Street property consists of 21 mixed housing units of eight 4-bedroom apartments, two penthouse apartments of 3-bedrooms each and six 3-bedroom (all en-suite) terrace apartments.

The Raymond Street property is made up of two en-suite 2-bedroom apartments and one 4-bedroom apartment.

The Yaba, Lagos properties, which dug a deep hole of an eye-popping N1 Billion (One Billion Naira), were paid for on May 30, 2012. The same day Alison-Madueke splashed N900 million for the Port Harcourt estate.

In Lekki Phase one, an upscale neighbourhood of Lagos, operatives found a twin four-bedroom duplex. The duplex is located on Plot 33, Block 112, Lekki Peninsula Residential Scheme Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos, with an estimated value of over N200 Million (Two Hundred Million Naira).

Also in Lagos, a large expanse of land at Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos has also been traced to the former Petroleum Resources Minister. The land, which is located in Oniru Chieftaincy Family Private Estate, Lekki peninsular, Lagos and currently being utilized as a dumping site, was bought on February 16, 2012, for N135 Million (One Hundred and Thirty- Five Million Naira).

Plot 8, Gerard Road Ikoyi, Lagos, another property traced to Alison-Madueke, is a penthouse on the 11th Floor in the Block B Wing of the building. It was bought for N12 Million (Twelve Million Naira) on December 20, 2011.

On plot 10, Frederick Chiluba Close, in the serene, upscale Asokoro district of Abuja, lies a tastefully built and finished duplex. In the compound, there are also a Guest Chalet, Boy’s Quarters, an elegant swimming pool, fully equipped sports gym and a host of other amenities. Investigators have discovered that the property acquired by the ex-minister in December, 2009, at the cost of N400 Million (Four Hundred Million Naira) was never declared in any of the asset declaration forms filed by Alison-Madueke.

Also linked to the former Minister in Abuja is a mini estate at Mabushi, Abuja. The estate located on Plot 1205, Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi Gardens Estate, houses 13 three bedroom terrace houses, each with one bedroom en-suite maid’s quarters. It was purchased on April 2, 2012 at the princely sum of N650 Million (Six Hundred and Fifty Million Naira).

In Aso Drive, Maitama, Abuja, Alison-Madueke reportedly acquired a 6-bedroom en-suite apartment made up of three large living rooms, two bedroom Guest Chalets, two bedroom Boys Quarters, two lock up garages and a car park. It was bought on July 20, 2011 for N80 Million (Eighty Million Naira).

Down South in Nigeria’s oil city of Port Harcourt, the former minister’s acquisitive appetite took her to Heritage Court Estate, located on Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu Government Residential Area, Phase 1 Extension, Port Harcourt. The Estate which is made up of 16 four bedroom terrace duplexes is equipped with among other facilities, a massive standby power generating set. Alison-Madueke did not blink as she shelled out N900 Million (Nine Hundred Million Naira) for it on May 30, 2012,

In neighbouring Bayelsa State, an apartment with two blocks of flats, all en-suite, and with a Maid’s Quarters were also traced to her. The house located on Goodluck Jonathan Road, Yenagoa is sitting on a large expanse of land. Realtors spoken to by EFCC investigators have placed estimated values running into hundreds of millions of Naira on the property. The apartments have four living rooms, eight bedrooms and gold-plated furniture.

Aside from jewelry and property, Alison-Madueke, EFCC operatives charge, has N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) in various Nigerian banks.

Based on evidence presented by the Commission before the court, Justice Muslim Suleiman Hassan on January 6 2017, ordered the funds’ temporary forfeiture to the federal government.

The EFCC again, on January 24, 2017, urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the forfeiture of yet another N9 billion allegedly laundered by some bank officials for Alison-Madueke.

A month later, on February 16, 2017, Justice Hassan ordered the final forfeiture to the federal government, of a whooping sum ofN34 Billion naira which has been traced to the former minister.

Earlier in May 2016, the sum of over $100 Million (One Hundred Million US dollars) were traced to the accounts of several Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staffers, who were allegedly bribed by Alison-Madueke to compromise Nigeria’s 2015 general elections.

Justice Mohammed B. Idris of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on April 27, 2017, ordered the final forfeiture of the bribe money traced to one staff of INEC, Christian Nwosu, who was arraigned on April 5, 2017.

In the course of the trial, Nwosu pleaded guilty to receiving the sum of N30 Million (Thirty Million Naira) from Alison-Madueke. Upon his confession, the court ordered the final forfeiture of his landed property situated at Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. Also forfeited by Nwosu to the federal government was the cash sum of N5 Million (Five Million Naira).

Going by the continued unearthing of hard-to-ignore evidences of unexplained acquisitions, coupled with Justice Chuka Obiozor’s rulling on the final forfeiture of a $37.5m (N11.75bn) (Eleven Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) to the federal government, ex-minister Alison-Madueke’s evidence-free counter-charge, that she is a victim of EFCC persecution, may be ringing hollower and hollower.

** Orilade and Gambari are officers of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

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Oyo: Makinde scrambles as defections threaten political structure

Published

9 hours ago

November 15, 2026

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reportedly begun a series of meetings with members of his cabinet and key political stakeholders in the Allied Peoples Movement in a bid to address the wave of defections and resignations affecting his political camp.

The meetings, according to sources within the camp, are aimed at addressing growing discontent among party members and preventing further departures ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The development follows the recent defection of several prominent politicians from Ogbomoso zone to the All Progressives Congress, a move that has reportedly unsettled the governor’s political associates.

Among those who recently left the governor’s camp are his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; Alhaji Rasak Gbadegesin, popularly known as Agbeti; Timothy Oyeniyi; Alabi Olateju; Isaiah Adegbite; Peter Oyetunji; and Jimoh Sikiru, the APM chairman in Ogbomoso North.

Several other political figures and local government representatives from Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa have also reportedly joined the APC.

The latest developments came on the heels of a series of resignations from the Makinde administration.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo, and the ministry’s Special Adviser, Simeon Adegbola Oyeleke, resigned their appointments with effect from November 2.

While Ojo did not publicly disclose the reason for his resignation, Oyeleke reportedly cited dissatisfaction with the working environment, saying it had become increasingly difficult to represent the aspirations of his people while serving in government.

Also, Sunday Olugbenga Falana resigned from the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve without publicly stating his reason for leaving.

The Director-General of the Due Process Office, Tara Adefope, also reportedly left the administration.

Other prominent political figures who have parted ways with the governor include the Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Hosea Agboola, popularly known as Alleluyah; former Deputy Governor, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and Alhaji Bisi Olopoeniyan.

Agboola and Arapaja have since moved into the APC.

The departures have also affected some of the governor’s political strategists. They include former Political Adviser to the governor, Chief Babatunde Oduyoye, and his former Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni.

Their exits have reportedly raised concerns among members of the governor’s political circle about the strength of the structures that have supported his administration and political activities.

Worried by the growing number of departures, Makinde is said to have intensified consultations with members of his cabinet, party leaders and remaining loyalists in an effort to prevent further defections.

Sources familiar with the meetings disclosed that the governor had been holding consultations with some of his associates and aggrieved stakeholders at his residences in Ikolaba and Kolapo Ishola Estate, Ibadan.

At one of the meetings, which reportedly brought together members of his diminishing inner circle, Makinde was said to have expressed concern about the trend and sought suggestions on how to retain those still within the party.

A source familiar with the discussions said the governor wanted to know what could be done to prevent further defections and protect the party’s position ahead of the next governorship election.

The source added that the meetings also provided an opportunity for some attendees to express their grievances over what they considered the causes of the crisis.

According to the source, some participants blamed the situation on the governor’s alleged unilateral decision to settle for Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

Others reportedly criticised some policies of the administration, which they believed had generated negative public reactions and contributed to the growing discontent within the political camp.

The latest meeting, which reportedly lasted until the early hours of Thursday, ended without any clearly defined strategy to address the situation.

A source at the meeting said some participants expressed the fear that more political figures could still leave the camp if the grievances were not addressed.

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Late Lam Adesina’s Legacy Remains Enduring – Oseni

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has described the late former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina, as a political leader whose contributions to democracy, education and the development of the state remain significant.

Oseni, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, to mark the 14th anniversary of the former governor’s death, said Lam Adesina’s life and political career offered valuable lessons in courage, conviction and commitment to public service.

He recalled that the late governor, who died on November 11, 2012, at the age of 73, played an important role in Oyo State’s political history. His involvement in the struggle against military rule, particularly through the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), reflected his commitment to democracy and the restoration of civilian rule in Nigeria.

The lawmaker who currently represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) , also noted that Lam Adesina’s background as a teacher and journalist shaped his interest in education, public affairs and the political development of the country. He said the former governor was closely associated with the progressive political ideals of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, particularly the emphasis on education, social welfare and improving the living conditions of ordinary people.

“Lam Adesina was a politician who stood firmly by his convictions. He was part of the struggle for democracy at a time when doing so came with personal risks. His contributions to Oyo State and his commitment to the ideals he believed in remain important parts of our political history,” Oseni said.

The APC chieftain further recalled that Lam Adesina governed Oyo State between 1999 and 2003, with attention to education, healthcare, rural development and rural electrification. He noted that the former governor’s experience as an educationist was reflected in his interest in expanding educational opportunities and improving the lives of the people.

He added that the late governor’s popular nickname, Ore Mekunnu, meaning friend of the common people, reflected his association with ordinary citizens. According to Oseni, the name remains a reminder that public office should be about serving the people and addressing their needs.

The APC Senatorial candidate noted that the annual remembrance of the late governor should provide an opportunity for political leaders to reflect on the responsibilities of leadership and the values that should guide public service. He stressed that remembering past leaders should go beyond ceremonies and tributes, adding that their contributions should serve as lessons for those currently entrusted with public responsibilities.

“Fourteen years after his passing, we should continue to remember Lam Adesina for what he stood for. His commitment to democracy, education and the welfare of the people should remind us that public office is a trust. Those of us in positions of responsibility must remain conscious of the people we serve and the legacy we hope to leave behind,” he added.

Oseni extended his thoughts to the family, political associates and admirers of the late governor, as well as the people of Oyo State. He prayed that Almighty Allah would grant his soul eternal rest, noting that his contributions to the state’s political development and Nigeria’s democratic journey remained worthy of recognition.

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Alli hails Arapaja at 68, calls him pride of Oyo

Published

5 days ago

November 10, 2026

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The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has described former Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja as a brave citizen and a source of pride to the state as he marks his 68th birthday.

Alli, in a birthday message personally signed on Tuesday, praised Arapaja for his contributions to democracy, public service and good governance, describing him as a statesman whose impact on Oyo State and the country remained significant.

He said the former deputy governor had distinguished himself in various public offices through courage, loyalty, wisdom and commitment to the welfare of the people.

Alli also described Arapaja as a rare gift to Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity, noting that his record of service reflected his dedication to leadership and nation-building.

He traced Arapaja’s political journey from his tenure as chairman of Ibadan South-East Local Government to his election into the House of Representatives and subsequent appointment as deputy governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011 under the late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

The APC governorship candidate also recalled Arapaja’s diplomatic service as Nigeria’s ambassador to Iran and later Jordan, where he served until 2015.

According to Alli, Arapaja has excelled as a family man, politician, public administrator and diplomat, earning respect through his conduct and commitment to public service.

“Ambassador Arapaja has excelled as a family man, a politician, a public administrator, a diplomat and as a patriot. In every assignment, he has demonstrated the courage to speak the truth, the commitment to serve and the passion to lift others,” he said.

Alli further described the celebrant as a bridge-builder and political mobiliser whose experience and political sagacity had continued to shape the state’s political landscape.

He added that Arapaja had remained consistent in leadership, character and service, noting that his contributions deserved recognition.
While wishing him many more years,

Alli prayed for good health, long life and renewed strength for the former deputy governor to continue contributing to the development of Oyo State and Nigeria.

“As you add another year today, I celebrate the enigma, the bridge-builder and the mobiliser. Happy 68th birthday, Your Excellency. Oyo State is proud of you,” he added.