Former Mininster of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reportedly pleaded that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) be ordered to ensure her return to Nigeria.

Alison-Madueke, who has been in the UK since 2015, said that she was ready to stand in court and defend the criminal charge of laundering N450 million, standing against her.

The report said that the major defendants in the charge were Dele Belgore, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Prof Abubakar Suleiman, a former National Planning Minister, having reportedly received N450 million from the former Minister in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that the money was part of the $115 million which Diezani reportedly gave out during the election.

A Lawyer from Abuja, Obinna Onya, denied that the former Minister was at large, as alleged against her. He said that she was in the UK and willing to return to Nigeria to defend herself against the charges.

The EFCC however, said that the Lawyer refused to allow the Commission’s team of investigators, led by Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, to meet with Diezani in the UK earlier this year.