Trial ends at Southwark Crown Court
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison Madueke has been found not guilty in a bribery case heard at Southwark Crown Court.
The jury cleared her of five bribery charges and one charge linked to conspiracy. The case also involved her brother and an oil industry executive, who were also found not guilty.
The case was brought after a long investigation led by the UK’s National Crime Agency.
Allegations in the case
Prosecutors claimed she received luxury hotel stays and expensive gifts from oil sector figures. They also alleged these benefits were linked to government oil contracts.
They argued that wealthy business figures supported her lifestyle in return for influence in the oil sector.
The prosecution said several oil executives were connected to the case, although none were charged directly.
Defence argument and court claims
Her legal team rejected the allegations. They said important evidence was missing and that the case had been delayed for years.
They also argued that the prosecution failed to show any direct link between oil contracts and alleged bribes.
In court, she described herself as someone committed to rules and transparency. She also said she was targeted in a male dominated political environment.
Career background
She previously worked at Shell and later became Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015.
She also became the first female president of OPEC in 2014.
Court outcome
The jury cleared all accused individuals after reviewing the evidence. The prosecution did not prove that oil contracts were awarded because of bribes.
The verdict brings an end to a long running investigation that lasted more than a decade.
