Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of bribery charges by a court in London, bringing to a close a 13-year investigation by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) that she says devastated her reputation, restricted her freedom, and derailed her career.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday at Southwark Crown Court, where the 65-year-old faced five counts of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery. The trial began in January.
Speaking exclusively to the BBC after the ruling, Alison-Madueke reflected on the personal toll of the lengthy investigation.
“I’ve not been allowed to travel. I’ve not been allowed to work. They destroyed my reputation and my integrity,” she said.
Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 and became the first woman to lead Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the influential alliance of oil-exporting nations. Although she was first arrested in 2015, formal charges were not brought against her until 2023.
Prosecutors alleged that she received benefits from wealthy oil businessmen whose companies held government contracts. The alleged inducements included luxury items worth around £2 million purchased from Harrods, chauffeur-driven vehicles, and access to high-value properties in London and Buckinghamshire.
Her elder brother, Doye Agamas, 69, was also cleared of conspiracy to commit bribery. Meanwhile, oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, was found not guilty on all charges, despite being prosecuted after previously serving as an informant in a Nigerian anti-corruption investigation.
In a statement following the verdict, the NCA said it had carried out a “long-running, in-depth and complex investigation” that was subject to regular review by the Crown Prosecution Service. The agency added that it respected the jury’s decision.
The acquittal marks the end of one of the most closely watched corruption cases involving a former senior Nigerian government official in the United Kingdom.