UK Court Acquits Diezani Alison-Madueke Of All Bribery Charges

Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been found not guilty of all bribery-related charges brought against her in the United Kingdom, ending a closely watched corruption trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The verdict was delivered after jurors deliberated for more than 46 hours, unanimously clearing Alison-Madueke of five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

British prosecutors had alleged that the former minister received luxury benefits, including access to upscale properties and other high-value gifts, from individuals connected to the oil and gas industry in return for influence over the awarding of contracts in Nigeria.

However, Alison-Madueke consistently denied the allegations throughout the trial, maintaining that she neither accepted bribes nor played a direct role in the allocation of oil sector contracts.

The case also involved oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, who were accused of related offences. Ayinde faced bribery charges, while Agama was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery over funds allegedly linked to his church. Both men were equally acquitted by the court.

The ruling brings to an end a lengthy investigation by British authorities that began more than a decade ago and focused on allegations of corruption connected to Nigeria’s oil industry.

During the proceedings, Alison-Madueke described herself as a victim of political persecution and insisted that expenses incurred during her time in office were properly paid for or reimbursed through official channels.

Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan and remains notable as the first woman to lead the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The acquittal marks a major legal victory for the former minister and a significant outcome in one of the most prominent corruption cases involving a former Nigerian public official in a foreign court.