OPEC President arrested in London

London police have arrested former Nigerian oil minister and OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) president Diezani Alison-Madueke. It is reported by Reuters, citing anonymous sources. There is no official confirmation of the arrest from Scotland Yard yet.

In connection with what Diezani Alison-Madueke was detained, Reuters does not specify, but the Nigerian press (also citing anonymous sources) claims that the arrest took place in connection with a certain corruption case. Because of him, several more people were also detained, their names are not called. In addition, it is not known whether the arrest occurred at the initiative of British law enforcement agencies or they acted on a request from Nigeria.

• Diezani Alisson-Madueke is the first woman to become president of OPEC. She was elected to the position in November 2014. Prior to that, she has worked in various senior positions in the Nigerian government since 2007.
• At the end of September, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced that someone had embezzled the property of the state corporation Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation worth billions of local naira and promised to find those responsible. Whether the arrest is related to this case is unknown.
• There are many leadership positions in OPEC - the structure of the oil cartel has a president, a deputy president (Alternate President), as well as a general secretary of the organization. The organization's website says nothing about Diezani Alison-Madueke's arrest.
• The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries was created in order to coordinate the work of the largest producing countries and influence the level of supply in the world market. OPEC includes 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran and Nigeria. Russia and the US are not members of OPEC.