Cancer-stricken Diezani Madueke claims keeping $9 billion with Zamfara governor, begs for pardon

The former Minister of Petroleum Resources in the ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, Diezani Alison-Madueke has revealed that she kept over $9 billion with the current governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal Dare when he was executive director in the First Bank.

The cancer stricken ex-Minister while speaking to the press in London on Saturday after a medical visit to an undisclosed hospital admitted that she stole money during her tenure, but asked Nigerians and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant pardon and allow her return home.

She also promised to reveal details of her financial misappropriation if she is allowed back home, adding that she is now born again.

Diezani said, she is currently battling with the second stage of cancer that is putting her life on the line and that she was advised to continue medication throughout her lifetime.

“I am now a born-again Christian and currently grappling with the second stage of cancer, for which my United Kingdom-based physician has advised me to continue medication for the rest of my life. Yes, no one is flawless, but sometimes, God Almighty permits such occurrences.

“I’ve been accused of financial misconduct during my tenure as the petroleum minister, and it’s true. However, I would like President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to forgive me, allow me to return home, and contribute because life is transient.”

She lamented that the current governor of Zamfara State was no longer picking her calls as he wouldn’t want her to mention $9 billion deposited with him when he was the Executive Director in First Bank.

She said, “My husband and my entire family members including my Nigeria lawyer based in the United Kingdom knew my relationship with Dauda Lawal Dare, the current Zamfara State governor whom I entrusted over 9 billion dollars for safe keeping while he was the Executive Director of the First Bank Nigeria PLC .

“Unfortunately, it has now come to a point that Mr Dauda Lawal is no longer picking my phone calls and even worked in Collaboration with UK police to put me under Surveillance, may be to claim the money I entrusted to him when I die.”