A United Kingdom court has cleared former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, of all bribery-related charges brought against her.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday found Alison-Madueke not guilty on six counts, including bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery, ending a high-profile legal battle that lasted several years.
The former minister, who served during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015, had been accused by prosecutors of accepting benefits from oil and gas industry figures in exchange for helping them gain access to lucrative contracts in Nigeria.
Prosecutors had alleged that Alison-Madueke enjoyed a luxury lifestyle in London funded by individuals seeking influence within Nigeria’s oil sector.
However, the 65-year-old politician repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting that she never received bribes and did not have the authority to personally award government contracts.
After more than 46 hours of deliberation, the jury returned unanimous verdicts clearing her on all six charges.
The acquittal marks a major legal victory for the former minister, who has faced investigations and public scrutiny in Nigeria and abroad since leaving office in 2015.
The court’s decision brings to a close the UK case against Alison-Madueke, who had maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings.
