Judge who ordered arrest of Diezani is dead

A High Court judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Valentine Ashi, who ordered security agencies to arrest and produce the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, within 72 hours, is dead.

It was gathered that the judge died on Thursday in an Abuja hospital from an undisclosed ailment.

Authorities of the FCT High Court also confirmed the development but assured a formal statement will be issued on Monday, with the authority of the Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, The Nation reports.

“Some members the late Justice Ashi’s family has visited the court’s management to inform the court about the unfortunate incident.

“I can confirm that they said he died on Thursday in the course of an illness. But, the court will issue a formal statement on Monday,” a senior official of the court said.

Ashi had on 4 December, 2018, upon an ex-parte motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ordered the agency, Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSSS) and all other security agencies to arrest Alison-Madueke and produce her in court within 72 hours.

The EFCC said it investigated the former minister with a businessman and Chairman, Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, Jide Omokore in relation to a petition by a group, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), dated October 2, 2013, which contained allegations of money laundering and official corruption.

EFCC added that its investigation showed that Diezani, as supervising minister of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, allegedly engaged in illicit and monumental fraudulent dealings in oil transactions, which she entered into on behalf of the Federal Government.

– PM News