Sunday, September 6, 2026

UK court clears ex-Nigerian minister Diezani Madueke of bribery charges

Mrs Alison-Madueke’s trial bordering on corruption and bribery came to an end after about a decade in the UK court.

and • June 17, 2026
Diezani Allison-Madueke
Diezani Allison-Madueke [Photo: BellaNaija]

A London jury on Wednesday cleared a former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke of bribery charges.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, who served as petroleum minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government from 2010 and 2015, was discharged and acquitted of a ​charge of conspiracy to commit bribery and five counts of accepting bribes by the London Southwark ‌Crown ⁠Court.

She was acquitted of all six charges by the UK court after over 46 hours of deliberation and debate on the charges filed against her by the prosecutor.

Mrs Alison-Madueke’s trial bordering on corruption and bribery came to an end after about a decade in the UK court.

The former minister was tried alongside her brother Doye Agama, charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and Olatimbo Ayinde, charged with one count of bribery.

Recall that in 2019, a ruling by the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, presided over by Nicholas Oweibo, ordered the permanent forfeiture of $40 million worth of jewellery to the Federal Government seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from the ex-petroleum minister.

Ms Alison-Madueke appealed the judgement but the appellate court ruled that her appeal lacked substance to upturn the ruling of the lower court. 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Africa

APC, Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party youths inaugurate joint tree-planting campaign

The initiative is part of the second round of the “Plant African Fraternity” aimed at deepening pan-African youth solidarity and promoting environmental sustainability.

Federal Road Safety Corps

States

Three killed, 20 injured in Osun road crash: FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says three people lost their lives, while 20 others were injured in an accident in Tonkere, Osun State.

Heading 2

EPL: Aston Villa extend goalless run after 0-0 draw with Hull City

Villa missed goal-scoring opportunities in the opening minutes of the game, with chances from Nicolas Jackson, Ross Barkley and George Hemmings.

Heading 5

Rights activists, labour leaders seek security, living wage reforms

Rights activists, labour leaders and civil society organisations called for urgent reforms to address insecurity and economic hardship.

Idi Maiha

Heading 3

FG rebranding livestock sector to attract youths: Maiha

“Now, the agriculture sector is beckoning the youths. We are rebranding the sector,” the minister said.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

States

Gov Makinde cautions traditional rulers against partisan politics

Mr Makinde advised traditional rulers to steer clear of politics and embrace all political actors without bias.