‘My Name Has Been Cleared’ — Diezani Breaks Silence After UK Court Acquittal, Hints at Next Move

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has broken her silence following her acquittal by a United Kingdom court, describing the verdict as the end of more than a decade of “unjust vilification” and legal uncertainty.

A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London reportedly found the 65-year-old former minister not guilty of six counts of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery.

Alison-Madueke had been accused of accepting kickbacks from oil and gas industry figures in exchange for awarding lucrative contracts during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010 and 2015.

Reacting to the judgment through her aide, Bolouere Opukiri, the former minister expressed relief over the outcome of the trial, saying the verdict had finally brought an end to an eleven-year ordeal for her and her family.

She thanked her legal team, family members and friends for standing by her throughout the lengthy legal battle.

In a statement released after the verdict, Alison-Madueke said:

“Today, at Southwark Crown Court, I was acquitted of all charges brought against me. For eleven arduous years, this matter has weighed heavily upon me and my family. Today, a decade of unrelenting and unjust vilification, condemnation and scrutiny has finally concluded.

“I give thanks to Almighty God for His faithfulness and for the complete vindication I have received. I am grateful to my legal counsel for their diligence, and to my family and friends for their steadfast support and encouragement throughout this period.

“I am profoundly relieved. My name has been cleared, and this ordeal has come to an end.”

However, the former minister suggested that she may soon speak publicly about her experiences during the legal battle and her future plans.

“This, however, is not the final chapter. In due course, I shall address this difficult period in greater detail and share my intentions for the future. For now, I intend to embrace the freedom that has been unjustly denied me for many years,” she added.