By Daniel Edu

Diezani Alison-Madueke, the ex-Petroleum Minister now residing in the United Kingdom, has publicly confessed to misappropriating funds from Nigeria. In a recent press briefing in London, Madueke revealed that she had entrusted nine billion dollars to the current Governor of Zamfara State.

Madueke, who previously served as petroleum minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, is reported to have fled to the UK to evade potential arrest by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In her statement, Madueke, who is reportedly battling cancer, expressed a desire to return to Nigeria and admit to her financial misconduct during her tenure. She appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government for forgiveness and an opportunity to contribute positively to the country.

Acknowledging her past actions, Madueke said, “I am now a born-again Christian and currently grappling with the second stage of cancer, for which my United Kingdom-based physician has advised me to continue medication for the rest of my life. Yes, no one is flawless, but sometimes, God Almighty permits such occurrences.”

Madueke went on to discuss her relationship with the present governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal Dare, who was the Executive Director of First Bank Nigeria PLC. She claimed to have entrusted Lawal with over 9 billion dollars for safekeeping during his tenure at the bank.

However, Madueke expressed concern about Lawal’s changed behavior, stating, “Unfortunately, it has now come to a point that Mr. Dauda Lawal is no longer picking up my phone calls and even worked in collaboration with UK police to put me under surveillance, maybe to claim the money I entrusted to him when I die.”