Diezani Alison-Madueke Breaks Silence After UK Court Acquittal, Says ‘This Is Not the Final Chapter’
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has broken her silence following her acquittal by a court in the United Kingdom, stating that the end of the high-profile case does not mark the end of her personal journey.
PulseNets learnt that a jury sitting at Southwark Crown Court in London cleared the 65-year-old former petroleum minister of all six charges relating to bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery.
The charges stemmed from allegations that Alison-Madueke received illicit benefits from oil and gas industry executives in return for the award of lucrative contracts during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010 and 2015.
Reacting to the verdict through her aide, Bolouere Opukiri, the former minister said she was relieved that years of intense public scrutiny and criticism had finally come to an end.
PulseNets reported that Alison-Madueke also expressed appreciation to her legal team, relatives, and close associates for standing by her throughout the eleven-year legal battle.
According to the statement obtained by PulseNets, the former minister said:
“Today, at Southwark Crown Court, I was acquitted of all charges brought against me. 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.
“I give thanks to Almighty God for His faithfulness and for the complete vindication I have received. I am grateful to my legal counsel for their diligence, and to my family and friends for their steadfast support and encouragement throughout this period.
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“I am profoundly relieved. My name has been cleared, and this ordeal has come to an end.
“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.”
