Diezani Alison-Madueke has been acquitted of all bribery charges brought against her by British prosecutors after a London court jury returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts on Wednesday, ending one of the most closely watched international corruption cases involving a former Nigerian official.
The former petroleum minister, who served under Goodluck Jonathan between 2010 and 2015, was cleared of five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Alison-Madueke, 65, had consistently denied the allegations throughout the trial, insisting that she neither accepted bribes nor influenced the awarding of oil and gas contracts during her tenure.
British prosecutors alleged that the former minister enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle in the United Kingdom, funded by oil and gas executives seeking preferential treatment and lucrative contracts in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. They claimed she benefited from luxury properties, expensive shopping sprees and lavish renovations financed by businessmen connected to Nigeria’s oil sector.
However, after more than 46 hours of deliberation, jurors at Southwark Crown Court found her not guilty on all six counts, dealing a significant blow to British authorities whose investigation into her activities had lasted more than a decade.
Alison-Madueke was among the most influential figures in Nigeria’s oil industry and also served as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries between 2014 and 2015.
She stood trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who faced charges related to the alleged bribery scheme.
The former minister was charged in 2023 over allegations linked to the awarding of oil and gas contracts during her time in office. Prosecutors claimed Nigerian businessmen financed her luxurious UK lifestyle, including millions of pounds spent on high-end shopping and property refurbishments.
Among the allegations were claims that over £2 million was spent at luxury retailer Harrods and approximately £4.6 million on renovating properties in London and Buckinghamshire. Prosecutors also alleged that some payments were made through cards linked to businessman Kolawole Aluko and his company, Tenka Limited.
During the trial, Alison-Madueke rejected all accusations, telling the court that expenses incurred during official engagements were reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). She also said a logistics company had been established in London to manage official arrangements due to what she described as administrative shortcomings within the corporation at the time.
Despite her acquittal in the UK, the former minister continues to face several corruption-related cases in Nigeria, while Nigerian courts have previously ordered the forfeiture of assets worth billions of naira linked to her.
The London verdict now brings an end to a decade-long British investigation that had put one of Nigeria’s most powerful former public officials under intense international scrutiny.