JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Nigeria’s former Oil Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been found not guilty of all corruption-related charges brought against her in the UK, ending one of the most closely watched international legal cases involving a former Nigerian public official.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday at Southwark Crown Court, where Alison-Madueke was tried on six charges relating to alleged bribery offences.
The former minister, who oversaw Nigeria’s oil sector between 2010 and 2015 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, faces five charges of accepting bribes and one charge of conspiracy to commit bribes. Throughout the trial, he maintained his innocence and denied all charges.
British prosecutors accused Alison-Madueke, 65, of profiting from what they described as a “life of luxury” allegedly bankrolled by individuals in the oil and gas industry seeking lucrative access to contracts in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Prosecutors argued that the benefits were part of a broader bribery arrangement related to business transactions in Africa’s largest oil producer, a country that has frequently battled corruption allegations and governance challenges.
Also read: “Come back to your senses”, Rarara slams Davido for bringing Nigeria’s security challenges to the World Cup
But Alison-Madueke has consistently denied receiving any illegal benefits and maintains that she had no direct influence over the allocation of government contracts. He insisted he did not take bribes or use the authority alleged by prosecutors.
After deliberating for more than 46 hours, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all six charges against the former minister.
According to Reuters, the results represent a significant setback for British investigators, whose probe into the allegations surrounding Alison-Madueke began more than a decade ago.
Also on trial is oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who faces separate bribery charges related to the case. Ayinde is accused of bribing Alison-Madueke and bribing foreign public officials.
Another defendant, Doye Agama, Alison-Madueke’s brother, was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery over alleged payments related to his church.
Like the former minister, both Ayinde and Agama have denied all the allegations leveled against them.
At the end of the trial, the jury acquitted all three defendants, acquitting them of every charge brought in the case.
The ruling marks the end of a long legal battle that attracted international attention due to Alison-Madueke’s previous role as Nigeria’s oil minister and her short tenure as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), making her one of the most prominent figures ever to lead the global oil body.
