Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery-related charges brought against her by United Kingdom authorities, bringing an end to a high-profile legal battle that spanned several years.
The verdict was delivered at Southwark Crown Court in London, where a jury cleared Alison-Madueke of all six charges after more than 46 hours of deliberations. The court subsequently discharged and acquitted the former minister.
Alison-Madueke had faced accusations from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), which alleged that she accepted bribes in exchange for influencing the award of lucrative oil and gas contracts during her time in office.
She stood trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama. All three defendants consistently denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
During the proceedings, prosecutors claimed that Alison-Madueke received luxury gifts, high-value properties and other benefits from individuals seeking preferential treatment within Nigeria’s oil industry. The prosecution further alleged that businessman Kolawole Aluko spent millions of pounds on luxury assets connected to the former minister.
However, the defence team challenged those claims, arguing that Alison-Madueke had limited direct authority over the approval of oil contracts. They maintained that major decisions in the sector involved multiple government agencies and followed established administrative procedures.
The defence also told the court that operational control of Nigeria’s petroleum industry largely rested with the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), while the Ministry of Petroleum Resources primarily played an oversight role.
A written statement from former President Goodluck Jonathan was also presented during the trial. In his statement, Jonathan said it was not uncommon for third parties to cover expenses on behalf of ministers during official foreign engagements.
The acquittal marks the conclusion of the UK criminal case against Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015. The verdict closes one of the most closely watched international legal cases involving a former Nigerian public official.
