$1.5bn traced to Diezani Swiss bank account by EFCC while inspecting Dubai mansion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced about $1.5billion, believed to be proceeds of crime to a Swiss account, as part of investigations involving former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The anti-graft agency has allegedly linked the loot to the ex-minister and four of her business associates.

A source told The Nation that Diezani allegedly used two shell companies to sell more than $1.5bn worth of Nigerian crude oil.

Four detectives also left Nigeria on Friday and have gained access to two exotic mansions belonging to the former Minister in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ahead of an Assets Forfeiture process by the Federal Government.

The properties are located in E146 Emirates Hill Dubai and J5 Emirates Hill Dubai.

“So far investigation revealed that the $1.5billion was laundered into an account in Switzerland after passing through the United States. We have the details of how the cash was wired into the account by some oil firms.

“Our investigation confirmed that the account was used to disburse the slush funds to make exotic purchases and acquire properties in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

“The US Department of Justice through its Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is already seeking to recover $144m in assets from some Diezani associates,” the source said.

It was learnt that Mrs Alison-Madueke’s posh mansions in Dubai was worth about 74million Dirham.

The source added: “Apart from the database made available to us by the UAE, there is no hiding place for Diezani, her associates and all the Politically Exposed Persons( PEPs) because the UAE has a Beneficial Ownership policy which will give details of those with assets, even if they are bought through proxies.”