Ugonna Madueke

At least three of the four persons arrested in London last week with Nigeria’s former  oil Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, are now known.

They are Diezani’s mother, Beatrice Agama, her stepson, Ugonna Madueke and her assistant, a Swiss, Melanie Spencer.

The identity of the fourth person remains unclear as at the time of writing.

A journalist covering the story for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Sam Piranty, uncovered their identities.

Beatrice Agama

They were all arrested  for alleged bribery and money laundering offences last Friday  by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA).  They were however released on bail a few hours later after questioning.

Diezani did not make an appearance Monday at the Westminster Magistrate Court, but her mother and Spencer were there.

The court authorized the seizure of  27, 000 GBP  and freeze  other undisclosed sums for six months (till April) to allow prosecution time to conclude investigations into the alleged crime.

The UK authorities are yet to file formal charges against Diezani and others.