Nigeria TV Info 

Ex-Nigeria Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Cleared in UK Bribery Trial

Former Nigerian petroleum minister and former OPEC president, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery charges by a jury at London's Southwark Crown Court, bringing an end to a high-profile corruption case that lasted more than a decade. The verdict was delivered on June 17, 2026, after jurors deliberated for over 46 hours following a five-month trial.

Alison-Madueke faced five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery linked to allegations that she received luxury benefits, including high-end properties, private jet travel, chauffeur services, and expensive shopping trips from oil industry figures seeking business opportunities in Nigeria's oil sector between 2011 and 2015. Prosecutors argued that these benefits amounted to improper rewards connected to her position as Nigeria's oil minister.

Throughout the trial, Alison-Madueke consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that she never solicited or accepted bribes and had no direct influence over the awarding of oil contracts. Her defence team maintained that many of the expenses highlighted by prosecutors were either reimbursed by the Nigerian government for official duties or personally paid for by her.

The court also cleared co-defendants Olatimbo Ayinde and Alison-Madueke's brother, Doye Agama, of related bribery charges. The acquittal represents a significant setback for the UK's National Crime Agency, which had spent years investigating the allegations and regarded the case as one of its major international anti-corruption efforts.

Reacting to the verdict, Alison-Madueke described the case as an "11-year ordeal" and said she was relieved that the prolonged legal battle had finally come to an end. The UK's National Crime Agency acknowledged the jury's decision and stated that it respected the outcome of the trial.