Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has accused United Kingdom authorities of destroying her reputation following a lengthy investigation that culminated in her acquittal on bribery charges.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Friday, Alison-Madueke described the 13-year probe by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) as traumatic, insisting that the matter could have been handled differently.
“I’ve not been allowed to travel. I’ve not been allowed to work. They destroyed my reputation and my integrity,” she said.
Her comments came days after a jury at Southwark Crown Court found her not guilty of five counts of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015, also made history as the first female President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
She was initially arrested in 2015 but was not formally charged until 2023.
Prosecutors had alleged that she received lavish gifts and benefits from oil businessmen seeking government contracts. The alleged benefits reportedly included luxury items worth £2 million purchased from Harrods, chauffeur-driven vehicles, and access to high-end properties in London and Buckinghamshire.
However, following the trial, the court cleared the former minister of all charges, bringing to an end a legal battle that spanned more than a decade.
Reacting to the verdict, Alison-Madueke maintained that the prolonged investigation had caused significant damage to her personal and professional life, despite the eventual outcome in her favour.
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