Determined to press its case of money laundering, the British government, seized £ 27,000 from former Nigerian oil minister, who was granted conditional bail by the National Crime Agency, NCA, last week. £5,000 and $2000 were also seized by the NCA from Beatrice Agama, Diezani's mother.

Authorities in Nigeria confirmed the arrest of Diezani Alison-Madueke in London, who served as oil minister from 2010 until May 2015 under former president Goodluck Jonathan but has been granted bail.

Alison-Madueke has previously denied to any wrongdoing when questioned about missing public funds and graft allegations. Reuters report

An administrative officer at Westminster Magistrates' Court stated that the NCA had applied to the court for an order to seize various sums of money in relation to Alison-Madueke and two other women for up to six months.

On Friday, the NCA issued a short statement saying its International Corruption Unit had arrested five people in London as part of an inquiry into suspected bribery and money laundering offences not naming those arrested but said all five had been released on conditional police bail, pending further investigations in Britain and overseas. It said the investigation had started in 2013.

Confirming Alision-Madueke's arrest, a spokesman for Nigeria's presidency, Garba Shehu, said "The government of Nigeria is collaborating with the UK authority in the investigations and her trial."

Meanwhile Nigeria has arrested the co-head of local oil firm Atlantic Energy. Jide Omokore was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC). He is to be questioned over corruption and money laundering charges, according to an official.