Reactions As UK Court Clears Diezani Of Bribery Charges

By Olugbenga Soyele, Olakunle Olasanmi, Olugbenga Soyele, Lagos

Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke was on Wednesday discharged and acquitted of a six-count bribery and corruption charge brought against her by the United Kingdom government.

Alison-Madueke, who was arraigned before the Crown Court in Southwark, was cleared of all charges of bribery and conspiracy by a jury after over 46 hours of deliberation.

The prosecutor, Alexandra Healy, had told the Crown Court that the ex-minister accepted bribes from industry figures seeking lucrative oil and gas contracts in Nigeria.

Healy had also claimed that Alison-Madueke received £100,000 ($137,680) in cash, as well as accepting flights on private jets, chauffeur-driven cars, and luxury goods from Louis Vuitton and Harrods.

She was arraigned before Judge Michael Snow alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, 69-year-old Doye Agama, on bribery charges related to the case.

Alison-Madueke, however, had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail by the court in October 2015 when she was first arrested.

Her lawyers argued that the spending highlighted by the prosecution was either reimbursed by the Nigerian government for official or personal expenses, and she was known as “Madame Due Process.”

Despite her UK acquittal, Alison-Madueke remains a highly controversial figure in Nigeria’s fight against corruption.

Since 2015, she has been the focus of multiple investigations and asset recovery efforts in Nigeria, the US, and the UK. US authorities previously alleged that proceeds from her tenure were laundered through the US to purchase luxury properties and other assets. In 2024, the US returned about $52.88 million linked to her to Nigeria under an asset recovery agreement.

In Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured several forfeiture orders for assets linked to her, including jewellery valued at around $40 million and a gold-plated iPhone, following court orders.

EFCC also obtained forfeiture orders for high-value real estate, including a Lekki property in Lagos and other properties allegedly connected to her through associates and shell companies.

Assets valued at more than $21 million, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, have been recovered. Many of these cases were settled through civil asset recovery processes separate from criminal prosecutions.

While Nigerian authorities continue to pursue her, Alison-Madueke maintains her innocence and legally challenges some of the accusations and forfeitures.

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the acquittal of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The director of a Lagos-based CSO, Justice and Human Rights Reforms Initiatives (JHRRI), David Babajide, said the verdict is a setback for British authorities, considering the substantial time and resources spent.

Babajide, however, noted that legally, an acquittal means the prosecution failed to prove the specific charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

He said, “It does not mean all allegations against her are false. It simply indicates that the evidence in this criminal trial was insufficient to secure a conviction.

On his part, Wahab Abdullah said the London verdict may have come as a disappointment to many Nigerians; however, in criminal law, suspicion and public opinion do not substitute for proof.

The lawyer said that the prosecution carried the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and if the jury was not convinced that the evidence met that standard, the acquittal was legally correct.

Abdullah also stated, “The UK acquittal does not automatically end Nigerian legal proceedings. If the EFCC has pending criminal charges against Alison-Madueke in Nigeria, those cases remain active unless they are withdrawn or dismissed by Nigerian courts.

“A UK verdict is not legally binding in Nigeria. However, her legal team might use the acquittal as a persuasive argument to challenge aspects of the Nigerian prosecution, especially if the facts overlap.

“If she has outstanding warrants, charges, or court orders requiring her presence, she could still face legal action upon her return. The London acquittal does not grant immunity from Nigerian jurisdiction,” he stated.

Professor of Law Andrew Abeh commented on the court’s hearing and determination of the matter, describing the judgment as a sweet victory for the former minister.

According to him, the once “powerful” petroleum is now a free woman.

He said, depending on the case the EFCC has against him here, it will amount to. To be tried here again after going through a trial in a London court.

“I commend the London court for the judgment, and I can also describe the judgment as a sweet victory for the former minister.

“But depending on the case the EFCC has against him here in Nigeria, it will amount to double jeopardy for him to go through trial here in Nigeria, if he has to be tried for the same offence”, he said.