The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has brought fresh charges against a former Minister of Petroleum Resources , Diezani Alison- Madueke , SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt .
It was learnt that the EFCC would in the coming days join Diezani in a suit filed against an oil tycoon , Jide Omokore.
The EFCC will subsequently apply for a bench warrant against the former minister as part of the process to kick – start her extradition from the United Kingdom.
EFCC source said , “ There have always been charges against Diezani . However, we had to remove her name for technical reasons . Also, the matter is no longer before Justice Nyako .
“ We will amend the charges to include her name and then we will apply for a bench warrant because there are many diplomatic processes involved . We will amend the charges against her .
“ You cannot extradite a person from foreign land without evidence that the person is wanted or the person ’s arrest has been ordered by a court.”
A bench warrant is an arrest warrant that is ordered by a judge against the defendant in a criminal case . It is
typically issued in the case of a failure to appear for trial . ”
A senior EFCC official who spoke on condition of
anonymity noted that a case was filed against Diezani in 2016 but had been withdrawn .
However, with the delay by the UK authorities, the commission has decided to personally handle the matter .