Diezani acquires Dominican citizenship and sparks fears she may flee from the UK

FORMER petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is alleged to be planning to secretly relocate from the UK to the Caribbean island of Dominica after acquired the country's citizenship.

 

Ms Alison-Madueke is currently in London where she is facing corruption and money laundering charges and the possibility of being jailed. On October 2, the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested the former minister and released her on bail after an injunction was obtained to seize £27,000 from her and she was asked to deposit her passport with the court.

 

Although her Nigerian passport has been seized, Ms Alison-Madueke can flee using her new Dominican one having acquired citizenship. Investigators in the UK and Nigeria were shocked by the discovery that she had secretly acquired the citizenship of the small Caribbean country of only 72,000 people.

 

However, sources in the UK said the NCA was already keeping monitoring her movements just in case she intends to flee. Ms Alison-Madueke’s new citizenship was confirmed in a May 29, approval letter by the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit.

 

It is also reported that the letter also claimed that the ex-minister has been appointed as Dominica's country’s trade and investment commissioner. Although the letter indicated that the appointment was without a salary package, Ms Alison-Madueke is expected to help in promoting and marketing Dominica as a trade and investment domicile.

 

In the diplomatic passport, which is numbered DP0000445, the Dominican government said Ms Alison-Madueke should be allowed to pass freely without let or hindrance and asks whoever is concerned to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary. Issued on May 21, 2015, the diplomatic passport expires on May 20, 2020.

 

One British source said: “I think the NCA is suspecting that she acquired the citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica with the intent to relocate to this country. This has opened a fresh bend into our investigation.

 

“She has been placed under stricter surveillance in the light of the latest development. While the diplomatic aspect is being handled by the appropriate quarters, I can tell you that the NCA is collaborating with many agencies to bring her to account for any allegation against her."

 

Among the charges against ms Alison-Madueke are that she used $6.9m to buy three 40-feet mobile stages for use during mass public speaking events. According to investigators, the cost of the stages was allegedly inflated and there is no evidence yet that any stage was purchased at all.