Akande Urges Diezani to Return and Clear Her Name

Laolu Akande, former spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan, called on Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, to return to Nigeria to face corruption allegations despite her recent acquittal by a UK court. During an interview on "Politics Nigeria," Akande stated that the UK court's decision does not resolve the pending cases against Alison-Madueke in Nigeria, particularly those being pursued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He noted that there is an ongoing case involving the forfeiture of several of her assets. Akande argued that it is time for Alison-Madueke to defend herself in her home country, as serious questions remain regarding her tenure, especially concerning a controversial strategic alliance with the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) that allegedly involved the sale of crude oil worth $3 billion without payment of royalties or taxes.

He encouraged her to return and allow the Nigerian judiciary to determine the outstanding EFCC case, which would help bring closure to a significant corruption case in the country.