AMERICAN authorities have begun investigating whether former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke laundered any of the money she is alleged to have embezzled through their banks and are considering imposing a visa ban on her.  

Earlier this month, Ms Alison-Madueke was arrested at her west London home by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and taken to Charing Cross Police Station, where she was quizzed for several hours. She was later released on bail to appear in court where an injunction was obtained to confiscate £27,000 from her and her passport was seized. 

Britain's NCA which leads the UK law enforcement’s fight to cut serious and organised crime, is working in league with Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the probe of the former minister. She has been the subject of several indictments involving the illegal transfer of Nigeria's oil wealth and is expected to be charged to court for corruption in London. 

As President Muhammadu Buhari enlists the help of Western governments in his anti-corruption crusade, the US has considered imposing a visa ban and financial sanctions against Ms Alison-Madueke. These restrictions will also be extended to a dozen of her associates, government officials in the oil and gas sector and indicted politicians.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Washington has begun scrutinising whether Ms Alison-Madueke’s associates laundered money in the US, UK and other countries. During President Buhari's recent visit to Washington, he got US officials to agree to help track down any Nigerian funds that had been transferred to the country.

According to the WSJ, in the past, Western governments have acted on similar pleas from other African states but this time around, they have operated with unprecedented nimbleness. A lawyer speaking on Ms Alison-Madueke's behalf Oscar Onwudiwe, confirmed she was invited by the police in London for questioning this month but was not arrested.

Nigeria is not the first African country to find its officials investigated abroad for financial crimes but the current flurry of legal action seems unique for its speed and scope. Anti-corruption investigators in Nigeria have arrested three directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in recent days.