Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been acquitted of all bribery charges by a court in London, bringing to a close a 13-year investigation conducted by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
The verdict was delivered at Southwark Crown Court, where Alison-Madueke faced five counts of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Following her acquittal, the former minister said the lengthy investigation had severely affected her reputation, career, and freedom of movement.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 and became the first woman to lead Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, had been accused of receiving benefits from oil businessmen linked to government contracts, including luxury goods, chauffeur-driven vehicles, and access to high-value properties in the United Kingdom.
Her brother, Doye Agamas, and oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde were also cleared of all charges.
The NCA stated that it had carried out a complex and extensive investigation, regularly reviewed by prosecutors, and said it respected the jury’s decision.
The ruling marks the end of one of the most closely watched international corruption cases involving a former Nigerian government official.
