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.
A newspaper had 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.
The purported London interview sparked diverse reactions with Mr Lawal’s allies saying the reports were to disparage him
The newspaper that reported the fake 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. This newspaper has yet to independently verify the allegation.
In a bid to confirm the veracity of the report, PREMIUM TIMES reached out to Mrs Alison-Madueke.
The former petroleum minister, in an exclusive interview described the report as “fake” and “concocted.”
“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,” Alison-Madueke said
Zamfara PDP reacts
Despite the EFCC denying the Instagram post, 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.
Mr Oando expressed disappointment with the EFCC for allegedly allowing fake news to be published on its platform.
The Zamfara PDP argued that “Pulling down the fake story is not sufficient. The anti-corruption body should issue a disclaimer and promptly apologise for this avoidable and costly unprofessionalism.”
The Federal High Court, Abuja, in January 2022, issued an arrest warrant against Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke over corruption charges against her.
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