Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has spoken out for the first time since a London court cleared her of all bribery charges. The Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday acquitted the ex-minister on five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, bringing a close to a legal battle that has stretched over a decade.
In an emotional interview with News Central, Alison-Madueke described the past 11 years as a period of intense personal suffering. “I’m just thankful to God. It’s been arduous, almost 11 years. It’s been traumatic not just for me but for my family, friends, my 93-year-old mother in Port Harcourt, and my son,” she stated. She emphasized that the ordeal tested her faith and resilience, but she never lost hope. “God will always do as he will. God is not a man that he should lie; when he promises you something, he will see it through.”
Alison-Madueke, who served as Petroleum Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that she has remained in the United Kingdom throughout the legal proceedings. Reflecting on her tenure, she said, “I did my job to the best of my ability.” The acquittal marks a significant turnaround for the former minister, who had faced allegations of steering oil contracts to companies in exchange for cash bribes. British prosecutors brought the case in connection with contracts worth millions of dollars awarded to several firms.
The court’s decision has drawn mixed reactions, but Alison-Madueke’s supporters have welcomed it as a vindication. Her statement, filled with gratitude and relief, underscores the toll the case took on her personal life. “It has been a hard journey,” she added, “but I tell you this, God will always do as he will.”