UK Court Clears Ex-Minister, Alison-Madueke, of All Bribery Charges
Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was yesterday cleared of all bribery charges by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London, brought against her by the UK’s National Crime Agency in 2023, bringing to a close a high-profile corruption trial that lasted several months.
Alison-Madueke, who served as petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was found not guilty on five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. She had consistently denied all allegations throughout the proceedings.
British prosecutors alleged that the former minister received luxury benefits, including access to high-end properties and other expensive perks, from individuals linked to the oil and gas sector in exchange for influence over the award of lucrative contracts in Nigeria. Alison-Madueke maintained that she never accepted bribes and had no direct role in awarding contracts.
The jury returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts after more than 46 hours of deliberation.
Also acquitted were oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde and Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, who had faced related charges. Ayinde was accused of bribery, while Agama was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery over payments allegedly linked to his church. Both denied wrongdoing.
The verdict marks a significant setback for British authorities, whose investigation into corruption allegations involving the former minister began more than a decade ago.
Alison-Madueke, who also made history as the first woman to serve as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, had described herself during the trial as a target of political persecution and insisted that all expenses associated with her official duties were either paid for or reimbursed through proper channels.
In a statement issued on Wednesday through her representative, Bolouere Opukiri, Alison-Madueke said the verdict marked the end of an eleven-year legal battle that had subjected her and her family to intense public scrutiny.
“Today, at Southwark Crown Court, I was acquitted of all charges brought against me,” she said.
Reflecting on the lengthy legal process, the former minister described the period as one of immense hardship and personal suffering.
“For eleven arduous years, this matter has weighed heavily upon me and my family. Today, a decade of unrelenting and unjust vilification, condemnation, and scrutiny has finally concluded,” she stated.
Alison-Madueke expressed gratitude to God, her legal team, family and friends for their support throughout the trial.
The former minister said the verdict had brought a sense of relief and closure after years of legal uncertainty.
“I am profoundly relieved. My name has been cleared, and this ordeal has come to an end,” she added.
Despite the acquittal, Alison-Madueke indicated that she intends to speak further about the events of the past decade and outline her future plans.
