God is not a man, Alison-Madueke reacts to acquittal of bribery charges

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria's former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has been cleared of all bribery and corruption charges by a London court, concluding a legal battle that spanned nearly 11 years. Alison-Madueke, who has been living in the United Kingdom since leaving office in 2015, characterized the prolonged international legal scrutiny as an "arduous" and "traumatic" experience for herself, her family, and her supporters.

In a video statement, she conveyed deep gratitude to God and her inner circle for their unwavering support throughout the ordeal. Alison-Madueke asserted that she performed her duties with utmost integrity during her tenure leading the nation's oil sector. "God is not a man that he should lie," she stated, emphasizing her faith and belief in divine providence seeing her through the difficult period.

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I’m just thankful to God. It’s been a very, very arduous and long, almost 11 years. It’s been traumatic not just for me but for my family, for friends, for all those who have stayed and supported, for my 93-year-old mother in Port Harcourt, for my son, and for all those who love us, friends and family.

The acquittal on Wednesday involved six bribery charges at London's Southwark Crown Court. Prosecutors had alleged that Alison-Madueke, 65, received "a life of luxury" from figures in the oil and gas industry who sought lucrative contracts in Nigeria, a country long grappling with corruption. She consistently denied these allegations, which included five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Her statement focused heavily on her faith and the personal toll of the legal proceedings. She specifically mentioned her 93-year-old mother in Port Harcourt, her son, and other loved ones who endured the hardship alongside her. The former minister reiterated her commitment to her job, stating she did her best while serving the country.

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But I tell you this, God will always do as God wills, and God will be God. God is not a man that he should lie. So when he promises you something, he will see it through. It has been almost 11 years since I've been here. I did my job to the best of my ability, but like I said, God is not a man that he should lie.