The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have described the acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by a United Kingdom court as a setback to global anti-corruption efforts.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), the organisations said the verdict should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to strengthen its own anti-corruption institutions and pursue justice domestically.
The Southwark Crown Court in London acquitted Diezani Alison-Madueke of all six charges of bribery and conspiracy after 46 hours of jury deliberation.
While respecting the court’s decision, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria noted that the case highlighted systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector between 2011 and 2015.
“The verdict underscores the challenges associated with securing criminal convictions against politically exposed persons based largely on circumstantial lifestyle evidence,” the statement said.
