US considering visa ban, financial sanctions against ex-minister, 12 others

monjola sotubo

October 14, 2015 10:55 AM

This was revealed to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) by US officials who also said that Washington was investigating whether the former minister’s associates laundered money in the US, the UK and other countries.

The United States of America is reportedly considering the implementation of a visa ban or financial sanctions against former Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The proposed measures are also expected to affect a dozen others including some of Alison-Madueke’s associates, oil officials and politicians.

This was revealed to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) by US officials who also said that Washington was investigating whether the former minister’s associates laundered money in the US, the UK and other countries.

“We continue to work with Nigeria to fight corruption,” a State Department official said according to WSJ.

Mrs Alison Madueke has been the centre of international attention since October 2, 2015, when her London home was raided by police.

Police officers in Nigeria also barricaded her home in Abuja hours after the London operation began.

Unconfirmed reports have it that the former oil minister is being suspected of laundering a whopping ‎£13 billion from the country’s coffers.

Oscar Onwudiwe, a lawyer speaking on Alison-Madueke’s behalf, however told WSJ that she was invited by the police in London but not arrested as widespread media reports have claimed.

READ: UK Police seize £27,000 from Diezani Alison-Madueke

“If the police come to your house for any reason, does it make you a criminal?” Onwudiwe asked.

READ: Diezani Alison-Madueke battling cancer

No official charges have been filed against the former oil minister.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he would head Nigeria’s oil sector as substantive minister in a bid to sanitize it.

monjola sotubo