By Abiodun Alade

Follow @Biodunpen

There are indications that former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke may not appear at London Magistrate Court, Monday, over allegations of corruption and money laundering levelled against her.

This is according to Sam Piranty, a journalist with The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), who is monitoring the event.

“On #diezani watch this morning. Unlikely she’ll arrive here after story leaked to press about today,” he posted on his Twitter handle.

The IMMEDIATE past Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Alison-Madueke, was arrested on Friday with four other people by the International Corruption Unit (ICU) of the UK’s National Crimes Agency. She was however granted bail after she had been detained for several hours. According to London Police she will be charged to court for money laundering.

The agency announced on its website on Friday that it had arrested five people “across London” as part of an investigation into suspected bribery and money laundering offences but stopped short of naming the suspects.

The Presidency on Sunday confirmed her arrest, saying it is working closely with British law enforcement over allegations of corruption and money laundering levelled against the former minister.

The Asokoro, Abuja residence of the immediate-past minister of Petroleum Resources was also stormed by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in what has been described as part of a multinational investigation of the former minister.

According to a security source, EFCC made “significant recovery” of documents at her Abuja residence.