From Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
Five Nigerian and UK anti-corruption groups have stated that the recent acquittal of former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke by a London jury doesn’t resolve wider corruption allegations related to her time in office. They have called for stronger investigations and asset recovery efforts both in Nigeria and the UK.
In a joint statement, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), CISLAC/Transparency International Nigeria, HEDA Resource Center, Spotlight on Corruption, and The Corner House UK said the verdict closes one chapter but leaves unresolved questions about Nigeria’s oil governance between 2010 and 2015.
Last month, a London jury acquitted Alison-Madueke, her brother Doye Agame, and businesswoman Olatimbo Ayinde of all bribery charges after a five-month trial and a 13-year investigation into gifts and perks received in the UK. The charges focused on claims that Alison-Madueke’s “life of luxury” in London was paid for by oil tycoons and industry insiders during her tenure as oil minister in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet.
The prosecution argued that their spending included a chauffeur-driven car, private jet use, £2 million in luxury goods from Harrods, and stays at high-end London properties. However, the case faced evidential challenges. UK prosecutors said they faced serious delays in receiving materials not only from Nigeria but also from Seychelles and Switzerland. The defense also claimed vital evidence had “disappeared” from Nigeria.
The credibility of the prosecution was further complicated during the trial when the Nigerian Attorney General told the court that the third defendant, Olatimbo Ayinde, was an informant for Nigerian authorities who was asked to “play along” with the payment of a $5 million bribe. Prosecutors were then forced to ask the jury to rely on some Nigerian evidence while dismissing other parts as unreliable.
The groups pointed out that the UK case was also narrowly framed. Allegations that government contracts were improperly awarded in exchange for bribes were omitted, and the jury was asked only whether the suspected acceptance of bribes constituted improper conduct related to ministerial duties.
Revd David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, said respect for the rule of law requires accepting the court’s verdict, but respect for accountability means unresolved allegations should not be ignored.
“The outcome of the UK case should reinforce—not weaken—the determination of both Nigeria, the UK, and the international community to strengthen investigations, improve cross-border cooperation, recover stolen assets, and ensure that public office is never used for private enrichment,” Ugolor said.
Olanrewaju Suraju, Chair of HEDA Resource Center, noted that the trial exposed weaknesses in UK anti-corruption enforcement. He pointed out that while the UK case ended in an acquittal, the US and Nigeria have successfully seized assets traced to Alison-Madueke totaling $53.1 million and $87.8 million, respectively, based on alleged bribery and money laundering.
Auwal Ibrahim Musa, Executive Director of CISLAC/TI Nigeria, described the verdict as a setback for international anti-corruption efforts but a wake-up call for Nigeria to focus on domestic accountability.
“An acquittal does not erase the systemic vulnerabilities exposed during the trial. The trial showed how deeply embedded corruption and policy capture were within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector between 2011 and 2015,” Musa said. He urged Nigerian authorities to pursue outstanding civil and criminal cases against Alison-Madueke that have been delayed due to her absence.
Dr. Helen Taylor, Deputy Director at Spotlight on Corruption, said the London prosecution “barely scratched the surface” of broader allegations surrounding Alison-Madueke’s leadership of the oil industry, including $20 billion in oil profits reported to the Nigerian Senate as having “leaked” from the NNPC during her tenure.
The CSOs urged the UK to maintain leadership in fighting illicit finance, especially through its upcoming Illicit Finance Summit and roles in the Financial Action Task Force and the G20, to ensure that corrupt profits and stolen wealth are returned to the countries most impacted.
They also called on Nigerian authorities to continue domestic investigations, emphasizing that viewing the UK acquittal as a complete resolution to questions about Alison-Madueke’s legacy would be “a grave mistake.”
“As long as these wider allegations remain untested and unresolved, it is vital that the Nigerian authorities advance their investigations to achieve full accountability for the billions in oil revenue lost from the Nigerian treasury,” the statement concluded.
