Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has spoken out after a UK court cleared her of bribery allegations following a lengthy investigation that lasted more than a decade.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, the former minister accused UK authorities of damaging her reputation and integrity during the 13-year probe, which she said had a devastating impact on her personal and professional life.
“They destroyed my reputation and my integrity. I’ve not been allowed to travel. I’ve not been allowed to work. When your freedom is taken away from you, it has a very deep impact upon you psychologically,” she said.
Alison-Madueke was cleared of five counts of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery by Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, bringing an end to a legal battle that began years ago.
According to her, she always maintained her innocence and never doubted that she would eventually be vindicated.
“I knew that I had never done anything nefarious and I had never done any of the heinous things I was being accused of doing,” she added.
The former minister also argued that the investigation could have been handled differently, stressing that the prolonged process deprived her of opportunities and affected her freedom.
Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015 and made history as the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
