By Kolawole Omotola Olaide
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has expressed gratitude to God following her acquittal by a United Kingdom court after a lengthy legal battle that lasted nearly 11 years.
The former minister was recently cleared by the Southwark Crown Court in London of multiple bribery-related charges brought against her by British authorities. The court found her not guilty of five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Reacting to the verdict during an interview with News Central, Alison-Madueke described the court’s decision as a moment of relief after years of emotional and personal challenges.
According to her, the prolonged legal proceedings placed a significant burden not only on her but also on members of her family, including her elderly mother and son.
She noted that she has remained in the United Kingdom throughout the period of the investigation and trial, maintaining that she carried out her duties as petroleum minister with dedication and integrity.
Reflecting on the outcome, the former minister said her faith in God sustained her throughout the difficult period. She stated that despite the challenges, she remained confident that divine justice would prevail.
Alison-Madueke further emphasized that the experience had been one of the most difficult chapters of her life but maintained that God remained faithful throughout the process.
The former petroleum minister, who served during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, consistently denied all allegations levelled against her. British prosecutors had accused her of receiving benefits from individuals within the oil and gas industry in exchange for preferential treatment.
However, the London court dismissed all charges against her, bringing an end to one of the most closely watched corruption cases involving a former Nigerian public official.
The ruling effectively closes a legal chapter that spanned more than a decade and attracted attention both in Nigeria and internationally.
