LONDON, June 17, 2026 — Former petroleum minister and ex-OPEC president Diezani Alison-Madueke has been acquitted of all bribery charges by a jury in London, bringing an end to a high-profile corruption trial that followed years of investigation by British authorities.
According to Reuters, the jury at Southwark Crown Court found Alison-Madueke not guilty on six counts, including five charges of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. The verdict came after more than 46 hours of deliberations.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, had denied all allegations throughout the proceedings. Prosecutors alleged that she received luxury benefits from oil and gas industry figures seeking favorable treatment in the awarding of contracts.
She maintained that she neither accepted bribes nor exercised direct control over contract awards.
The former minister stood trial alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama. Ayinde had been accused of bribery-related offenses, while Agama faced allegations connected to payments made to his church. Both men were also acquitted of all charges.
The case was closely watched in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria because of Alison-Madueke’s prominence in the global energy sector.
During her career, she became the first woman to serve as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and was one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s oil industry.
The acquittal represents a significant setback for British investigators, who began examining corruption allegations involving Alison-Madueke more than a decade ago.
The case formed part of wider international efforts to combat corruption linked to the energy sector and public procurement.
Neither British prosecutors nor representatives for Alison-Madueke immediately announced whether any further legal action would follow the verdict.
Ex-petroleum minister, Diezani, cleared of bribery charges by London jury
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