Alison-Madueke Acquitted of Bribery Charges in London

Diezani Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria's Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan, was found not guilty of six bribery charges by a jury in London on Wednesday. The trial, which commenced in January, concluded after 46 hours of jury deliberation.

Alison-Madueke faced allegations of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery, with prosecutors claiming she received substantial benefits while managing Nigeria's oil sector. Her defense argued that she did not influence contract awards and that the prosecution failed to prove any improper acceptance of benefits.

Following the verdict, Alison-Madueke expressed gratitude to the jury for enduring the ordeal and stated her intention to resume her private and public life. The case was part of a broader investigation into corruption linked to her tenure, which has seen multiple probes into the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation since she left office in 2015.