Information reaching us right now has it that, former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke is now a citizen of the Commonwealth of Dominican Republic. Besides, she has also been appointed as Trade and Investment Commissioner by the country.
Sources told us that Diezani secured the foreign citizenship and the political appointment in order to secure immunity from prosecution.
For those who don’t know, the ex-Petroleum Minister is awaiting trial for allegations of corruption, including fraudulent ownership of 76 properties in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, valued at about N23 billion. She also has 14-count charge bordering on stealing and concealment of $153 million already preferred against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to a letter signed by Prime Minister Roosevelt Kerry on May 29, 2015, Diezani was offered citizenship of Dominica, a Caribbean Island and also an appointment as Trade and Investment Commissioner.
The offer also entailed the issuance of a Diplomatic Passport on May 21, 2015, with an expiry date of May 20, 2020, to the ex-Minister who is presently in the United Kingdom.
Diezani is said to be immune from arrest and prosecution by any law enforcement agency, including the Interpol. This is due to the fact that the diplomatic passport contains a restraining order against any arrest or prosecution.
