Alison-Madueke Speaks On Reported Interview About Return To Nigeria, Zamfara Governor
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A former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied granting an interview in London recently where she allegedly indicted the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.
The former petroleum minister, in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, described the report as “fake” and “concocted.”
It was earlier reported that the ex-minister, who served during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, spoke with journalists in London during which she begged to be allowed to return home.
Mrs Alison-Madueke fled Nigeria in 2015 and has been in the United Kingdom (UK). She faces corruption charges in Nigeria and the UK.
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The purported London interview sparked diverse reactions with Mr Lawal’s allies saying the reports were to disparage him.
The newspaper that reported the interview has since pulled down the story.
An unverified screenshot has also been in circulation alleging that the EFCC amplified the controversial publication on it’s Instagram account.
“I did not grant an interview to anyone and therefore did not say any of the things attributed to me. It is fake news concocted for reasons I do not know,” Mrs Alison-Madueke said.
It was earlier reported that Mrs Alison-Madueke implored President Bola Tinubu to permit her to return to Nigeria “to confess to her financial misconduct during her tenure.”
Mrs Alison-Madueke, however, said that she did not grant the interview and that she did not say any of the things that were credited to her.
In its reaction, the EFCC also denied authoring the post on its Instagram handle
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, told THE PUNCH, “The report is not from the EFCC. Anything that is not signed by me is not from us (the EFCC).”
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the anti-graft agency and demanded an apology.
In a statement its Publicity Secretary, Abba Oando, the PDP said Mr Lawal was acquitted of all corruption charges by Nigeria’s Supreme Court on 12 March 2021.
