Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has spoken publicly for the first time after a UK court cleared her of bribery charges, describing the verdict as the end of nearly 11 years of pain, scrutiny, and legal battles.
On Wednesday, a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London acquitted the former minister of all six charges brought against her by British prosecutors.
The case, which stemmed from allegations dating back to her time in office, had seen Alison-Madueke accused of receiving luxury gifts and benefits in exchange for awarding oil and gas contracts.
Throughout the trial, she maintained her innocence, while her legal team argued that she had limited authority over many of the contract approvals cited by prosecutors.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Alison-Madueke expressed gratitude to God, her family, friends, and supporters who stood by her during the lengthy legal process.
“I’m just thankful to God. It’s been a very, very arduous and long, almost 11 years. It’s been traumatic not just for me but for my family,” she said.
The former minister described the ordeal as emotionally draining and said the verdict brought a sense of relief after years of uncertainty.
“God will always do as God wills, and God will be God. God is not a man that he should lie,” she added.
In a separate statement released through her representative, Bolouere Opukiri, Alison-Madueke said the acquittal marked the end of what she called years of unjust criticism and condemnation.
“A decade of unrelenting and unjust vilification, condemnation, and scrutiny has finally concluded,” the statement read.
She also thanked her legal team for their dedication and praised her family and friends for their unwavering support throughout the case.
“I am profoundly relieved. My name has been cleared, and this ordeal has come to an end,” she stated.
Alison-Madueke said she would speak more about the events of the past decade and her future plans at a later date, but for now intends to focus on enjoying the freedom she believes was unfairly denied to her for years.
Source: Southwark Crown Court, UK / Statement by Diezani Alison-Madueke and her representatives.
