Embattled former Minister of Petroleum Resources ( under Dr. Goodluck Jonathan), Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, her family has finally confirmed, is down with cancer!
In a statement issued on their behalf by their lawyer, Barrister Oscar M. Onwudiwe, they captured it thus: ‘The Madueke family, like most other families, have their own challenges. For instance, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has been receiving treatment for cancer in the UK which started while she was in office. The health crisis has unfortunately exacerbated in recent times. She completed months of chemotherapy just last week and is scheduled to undergo surgery next week in London. The family has been bearing this challenge with prayers and as much grace and fortitude as possible; and would plead with all reasonable Nigerians to pray for her recovery so that she can face her allegation and give account of her stewardship. Yes, she can – and very well too.’
Blaming the media over what the family has dubbed ‘cyber terrorism’ against their daughter and wife, they vehemently denied ownership of certain properties linked to the former powerful minister – like 1171 Scooter Lane, a 3-bedroom town house in Fairfax Virginia; 13116 Silver Maple Court in Bowie, Maryland and No. 4227 Summit Manor Court, Virginia, all in America.
In the UK where Mrs. Alison-Madueke will soon go on trial for alleged money laundering, the family equally denied being owners of any property on Hyde Park Street or even anywhere in London.
Ugonna, the former Minister’s step son accused of flamboyant lifestyle, was again exempted as the owner of Hadley Petroleum Solutions Limited. According to them,’…As young men bubbling with enthusiasm and fantasy, they registered a company, but after two years of no jobs, the company folded up. The company never had a bank account, let alone being a trader of Nigeria’s crude oil. They lied’.
Delectable Diezani is married to Admiral Alison Madueke, rtd, a former Military Governor and Chief of Naval Staff. From Bayelsa State, she became Mrs. Alison Madueke years after the Enugu State-born retired Naval top shot lost his first wife. YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine learnt that the family has been going through hell ever since Jonathan lost to President Muhammadu Buhari and thus began their martriach’s travails and ordeals.