Former Petroleum Minister says “decade of unjust vilification” ends, vows to speak on ordeal “in due course”_
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all charges brought against her after an 11-year legal battle in the United Kingdom.
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, 17 June 2026, at Southwark Crown Court. In a press statement released immediately after the ruling, Alison-Madueke, through her representative Bolouere Opukiri, described the outcome as “complete vindication” following years of scrutiny.
“Today, at Southwark Crown Court, I was acquitted of all charges brought against me,” the statement read.
“For eleven arduous years, this matter has weighed heavily upon me and my family. Today, a decade of unrelenting and unjust vilification, condemnation, and scrutiny has finally concluded.”
*“My name has been cleared”*
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister from 2010 to 2015, faced allegations bordering on corruption and financial crimes in the UK since 2015. She consistently denied wrongdoing.
In her statement, she thanked God for “His faithfulness”, her legal team for their “diligence”, and family and friends for “steadfast support and encouragement throughout this period”.
“I am profoundly relieved. My name has been cleared, and this ordeal has come to an end,” she said.
*Next chapter*
The former minister said the acquittal was not the end of the story. She indicated plans to speak publicly about the case and her future plans.
“This, however, is not the final chapter. In due course, I shall address this difficult period in greater detail and share my intentions for the future. For now, I intend to embrace the freedom that has been unjustly denied me for many years,” the statement concluded.
The 11-year case attracted global attention due to Alison-Madueke’s role in Nigeria’s oil sector and the high-profile nature of UK financial crime prosecutions involving public officials. With the acquittal, she is now legally cleared of all charges related to the matter.
