Former Nigeria's oil minister in more trouble as U.S. files corruption complaint

The Department of Justice (DOJ) have announced that they were filing a civil complaint against Nigeria’s former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and two other oil businessmen.

The Department is seeking for an estimated 144 million in assets owned by the three whom they believe attained their wealth from foreign corruption offences and money laundering.

Top officials of the U.S. who made the announcement said this is part of their efforts in ensuring that unlawfully attained wealth will not act as a safe haven in the country.

Over a four year period spanning 2011 – 2015, the former minister used their influence as sector minister to secure and award lucrative oil contracts to companies owned by Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Olajide Omokore and used the United States to launder the money to purchase their assets.

The assets looking to be seized is a $50 million condominium located in one of Manhattan’s most expensive buildings —157 W. 57th Street — as well as a yacht, the Galactica Star, valued at $80 million.

The authorities in the United Kingdom announced in February of this year that Alison-Madueke’s on trial for alleged corrupt practices was due to open last month. The Minister is going to be adjudicated along with four other accomplices.

Mrs Alison-Madueke nightmare begun when she was arrested in October 2015 in UK as part of their task force to investigate into suspicions of corruption and large-scale laundering in the country.