As the British authorities continue their investigation into the activities of the former Minister of Petroleum Resource Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was arrested in London and released on bail last Friday on allegations of bribery, corruption and money laundering, the law enforcement agencies in the UK have extended their dragnet to interrogating “persons of interest”.
The former minister was arrested by the British National Crime Agency (NCA) alongside four other people, but was granted bail after over five hours of questioning.
Even though the identities of the four other people arrested along with Mrs. Diezani-Alison were not disclosed, sources informed that they were domestic staff and aides of the former minister.
NCA said investigations on the former minister were commenced in 2013 by the British authorities under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and transferred to it earlier this year.
Sources in the UK’s financial crimes bursting units also informed yesterday that they had invited the persons of interest to assist them with their investigations in relation to the former minister’s time when she held sway over the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
Those who have been invited include a UK-based real estate agent; Chairman/CEO of Aiteo Oil and Gas, Mr. Benedict Peters; the husband of Mrs. Melanie Spencer, from whom £10,000 was confiscated last week when the NCA arrested the former minister; and one Mr. Kevin Okyere, a Ghanaian national.
UK-based Nigerian who has informed the police that he would make himself available whenever necessary, Mr. Kola Aluko; a staff of the London office of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Joe Mordi; the former minister’s London-based driver; another London-based driver/butler; and one of the co-founders of oil and gas trading firm Tridax Energy, Mr. Donald Chidi Amamgbo.
A source in the UK explained that though the “persons of interest” were not being charged with any crime, the authorities are inviting them to help them with their investigations.
The Ghanaian, Okyere, is the chief executive of Springfield Oil & Gas and also husband of a niece of the NPP 2016 flag bearer in the neighbouring country, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s wife.
Okyere, according to Ghanaian media reports, allegedly stashed monies in bank accounts in Ghana and overseas on behalf of the ex-Nigerian Minister of Petroleum.
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