File: Diezani Alison-Madueke

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has accused United Kingdom authorities of destroying her reputation through a failed corruption prosecution that lasted more than a decade.

Alison-Madueke, who was acquitted on Wednesday by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London, made the remarks during an interview with BBC on Friday.

The former minister had faced five counts of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery following a 13-year investigation by the UK’s National Crime Agency.

Speaking after her acquittal, Alison-Madueke described the investigation and prosecution as “painful and traumatic.”