EFCC arrests Diezani’s cousin, front for ‘illegal’ crude oil deals

Donald Chidi Amamgbo,

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is detaining Donald Chidi Amamgbo, a cousin of the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, for allegedly using four firms to illegally lift crude oil. The crude oil and natural gas involved are said to be worth billions of dollars. The arrest of Amamgbo is rated as a major breakthrough for the EFCC in its ongoing probe of the ex-Minister. The suspect, who was arrested in Lagos, was branded as a “front” for the ex-Minister. According to a source close to the investigation, the EFCC discovered that Amamgbo used four companies to lift oil and gas in billions of dollars. Amamgbo, who is chief executive of Mezcor Oil and Gas limited, Tridax Oil and Gas Limited, Lynear Energy Limited and Bulk Strategic Reserved Limited, was arrested in Lagos at about 4.20 P.M Thursday. Sources said that evidence gathered so far suggested the oil mogul might have acted as front for Mrs Alison-Madueke, who granted him approval to lo lift Nigerian crude oil without any requisite experience. Amamgbo, through his companies, Amamgbo lifted crude oil and gas worth billions of dollars over a period of four years. “A search conducted in the office and premises of Mezcor Oil and Gas Limited at No. 5 Sannar street, Wuse 2, Abuja yielded documents which included payments for the purchase of houses and vehicles.” Sources at the anti-graft agency said the investigation was continuing but the office of Mezcir Oil and Gas Limited at No.5 , Sannar Street, off Yalinga Street off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II Abuja, has been sealed. “During the search, documents, which include payments for purchase of houses and vehicles were recovered,” the source said. Another source said: “We are not giving up on other accomplices of the ex-minister who were used to plunder the nation’s oil industry.” The embattled Minister has had her movement restricted to London since last October. The International Corruption Unit (ICU) of the National Crime Agency (NCA) on October 2 arrested Mrs Alison-Madueke and four others. The identities of the others remain unknown, but all the suspects are being investigated for alleged bribery and money laundering.