By Kofoworola Fakeye, JKNewsMedia Reporter
ALL BRIBERY charges brought against former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison Madueke, have ended in acquittal after a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London found her not guilty on all six counts.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the jury cleared Alison Madueke of the charges on Wednesday after more than 46 hours of deliberations.
Her trial commenced in January 2026 following charges filed by the United Kingdom (UK) government in August 2023 over an alleged £100,000 bribe.
The UK National Crime Agency said it suspected Alison Madueke accepted bribes in return for awarding multi million pound oil and gas contracts while in office.
Alison Madueke, oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, were arraigned on charges bordering on accepting bribes. They pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, the written statement of former President Goodluck Jonathan was read in open court.
Jonathan told the court that it was not unusual for third parties to make payments on behalf of ministers undertaking overseas duties.
He also stated that he had approved Alison Madueke’s use of private jets on some foreign trips.
During proceedings, prosecutors accused the former minister of accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high level properties from industry figures.
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy told jurors that Alison Madueke “enjoyed a life of luxury in London”, which she said was provided by individuals interested in securing oil contracts in Nigeria.
Healy said the former minister received high end properties and luxury goods from people who believed she would use her influence to favour them in oil contract awards.
The prosecutor also told the court that Kolawole Aluko, a Nigerian businessman named in one charge but not standing trial, spent more than £2 million on items for Alison Madueke at Harrods.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that Healy further told jurors that the former minister and her family frequently stayed in a mansion outside London purchased by Aluko.
In her defence, counsel to Alison Madueke told the jury that she had limited control over oil contract approvals during her time in office because most decisions were made before reaching her desk.
Counsel said contract processes in the oil sector passed through multiple agencies before getting to the former minister.
She also told the court that operational authority in the sector rested largely with the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, while the ministry played an oversight role.
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