CISLAC applauds British government’s arrest of former Nigeria petroleum minister

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) welcomes the recent arrest of the former petroleum minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Deziani Allison Madueke, in London.

We vividly support this move of President Muhammad Buhari to align with the international community to bring to book those who have abused the public trust while in office and to make them account for and return all the looted public funds and utilize such funds for developmental purposes that will affect every Nigerian.

We have observed that in similar cases, some powerful corrupt individuals have rushed to some judges or courts to obtain expatriate orders to prevent arrest, investigation and prosecution on perpetual basis. This lives a huge deficit on the integrity of the Nigerian judicial system.

This is also a lesson for the Nigerian judicial system to redeem their integrity by not giving such kind of frivolous injunction which encourages further looters to loot with impunity. The case of James Ibori is fresh in mind as the Nigerian court declared him not guilty while a court in the United Kingdom arrested, investigated and prosecuted him. We therefore insist that the Nigerian judiciary becomes more credible by redeeming itself to restore confidence and make justice reliable to prosecute those who mismanaged funds while in office.

We urge other countries to emulate the British government for arresting and prosecuting corrupt government officials from foreign countries and ensuring that looted or stolen public funds are retuned.

We urge the Nigerian people to support this move by the current Nigerian government and set aside ethnic, religious, geographical or political affiliations, as this is the only way corruption can be curbed and all stolen monies used to foster the much needed development in the country.

We urge the government of Nigeria to be steadfast and focused in the determination to ensure that corrupt individuals are brought to book and further ensure that all the leakages are blocked through strengthened public institutions.

For any press enquiries please contact

Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)
Executive Director
CISLAC
E: [email protected]