There is so much the Nigerian judiciary and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) can learn from the recent trial and acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by London’s Southwark Crown Court.
Alison-Madueke served as minister from 2010 to 2015. Following the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration by Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election, allegations of corruption were levelled against her, and she subsequently relocated to the United Kingdom.
She was first arrested in London in October 2015 but was granted bail while the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) carried out extensive investigations into the allegations against her.
In January 2026, she was finally charged to stand trial on a six-count charge of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Prosecutors alleged that she received more than £100,000 in cash, luxury accommodation, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights and other benefits in exchange for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts, among other charges.
