Nigeria orders arrest of former ministers in oil corruption scandal

Court orders arrests of Dan Etete, a former petroleum minister, and Mohammed Adoke, a former justice minister and attorney general

A local gas station worker fills a customer´s cars as people
queue at a gas station on April 17, 2019 in Seixal, in the outskirts of Lisbon. Many Portuguese were queuing at the few gas stations where it was still possible to refuel despite the shortages caused by a strike of the fuel carriers. / AFP / CARLOS COSTA

Nigeria has ordered the arrest of two former ministers over an oil scandal. AFP

AFP

Apr 18, 2019

A Nigerian court has issued arrest warrants for two former ministers in connection with one of the country's biggest-ever corruption scandals.

On Wednesday the court ordered the warrants for Dan Etete, a former petroleum minister, and Mohammed Adoke, a former justice minister and attorney general.

Both men have been in hiding for years. The arrest order paves the way for a potential international warrant.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said: "The Nigerian police, INTERPOL and any other law enforcement agency should arrest them anywhere they are found."

Nigerian voters queue to cast their votes at Shagari Health Unit polling station in Yola, Adamawa State, last month. AFP

Elections have ceased to mean much in Nigeria

Nigeria's still missing Chibok girls symbolise state of insecurity

The warrants are connected to a corruption case involving oil giants Eni and Shell in Nigeria.

Alleged kickbacks were paid during the purchase of an offshore oilfield.

Eni and Shell are accused of handing out bribes during the 2011 purchase of OPL245, an offshore oil block, for $1.3 billion. Both oil companies deny any wrongdoing.