Former Nigerian Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Acquitted of Bribery Charges in London

Former Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke has been acquitted of all six bribery charges following a high-profile corruption trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. Alison-Madueke, who served as minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, faced accusations of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she denied.

Prosecutors alleged that the 65-year-old former minister was given "a life of luxury" in London by figures in the oil and gas industry seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria, a country long plagued by corruption. However, Alison-Madueke, who also held the position of President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, maintained that she never received any bribes and had no direct influence over the awarding of government contracts.

A jury at Southwark Crown Court acquitted Alison-Madueke after deliberating for over 46 hours. The not-guilty verdict is a setback for British authorities, whose investigation into corruption allegations against her began more than a decade ago. Also on trial were oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde and Alison-Madueke's brother, Doye Agama, who faced bribery and conspiracy charges respectively. Both Ayinde and Agama were also acquitted by the jury.