Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery charges against her following a high-profile corruption trial in the United Kingdom.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, June 17, found the 65-year-old not guilty on six counts, including five charges of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. Alison-Madueke had consistently denied all allegations throughout the proceedings.
Prosecutors alleged that while serving as Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Alison-Madueke received significant benefits from oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria. According to the prosecution, she was provided with what was described as “a life of luxury” in London in exchange for influence over the award of energy contracts.
However, Alison-Madueke maintained that she never accepted bribes and did not possess the authority to directly determine the allocation of government contracts. Following more than 46 hours of jury deliberations, the court returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts on all six charges.
The acquittal marks a significant setback for British authorities, whose investigation into allegations involving the former minister began more than a decade ago. Alison-Madueke also served as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), becoming the first woman to hold the position.
Two co-defendants were also cleared of charges. Oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who faced one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and another count of bribing a foreign public official, was found not guilty.
Similarly, Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, 69, who was accused of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with payments allegedly made to his church, was acquitted by the jury. The verdict concludes one of the most closely watched corruption cases involving a former senior Nigerian government official in the United Kingdom.
The Borno State Police Command has clarified that five suspects arrested in Maiduguri were not prosecuted for wearing “Tinubu Must Go,” T-shirts.
The spokesperson for the command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 following public reactions to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects.
According to the PPRO, the suspects were arrested over allegations of inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of drug substances.
The Command distances the arrests and prosecution from political discrimination, insisting that the Nigeria Police Force is a professional, non-partisan institution and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of political affiliation or viewpoint. Nigeriancultural events
“The attention of the Borno State Police Command has been drawn to the viral reports and widespread public discourse concerning the arrest and subsequent prosecution of five suspects in connection with allegations of inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and being in possession of drug substance,” the statement read.
“Brief of the Case:On 25 September, 2026, at about 1800hrs, officers of the Command, while on a routine township patrol around West End Roundabout area Maiduguri, apprehended five suspects allegedly involved in conduct capable of causing public disturbance.
“The suspects were found in possession of 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, one shisha pot, one Scissors, two T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”
“The suspects were subsequently subjected to preliminary investigation, during which statements were obtained from them.
“Upon completion of the initial investigation, the case was charged to court.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that the Nigeria Police Force is a professional, non-partisan institution and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of political affiliation or viewpoint. Nigeriancultural events
“The Command remains committed to the protection of fundamental human rights, the rule of law, due process, accountability and transparency in the discharge of its responsibilities.
“The Command further emphasizes that the decision to charge the matter before a competent court is intended to allow the appropriate judicial process to take its course.
“Members of the public are therefore urged to rely on verified information and allow the court to determine the matter based on the facts and evidence presented before it.
“The Borno State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, impartiality, accountability and the protection of lives and property.”
The suspects were identified as Zion Danjuma, 20; Looji Augustine, 18; and Isah Mohammed, 23.
The sources said the suspects were subsequently handed over to Keystone B Division, Bukuru, for further investigation and appropriate action.
In a separate operation at about 10:20 a.m. the same day, troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Shen village, also in Jos South LGA.
During the operation, the troops arrested a 42-year-old suspect identified as Abdullahi Abdullahi.
The suspect has been profiled by the security forces for further action as investigations continue.
The operations are part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to disrupt criminal activities and strengthen security across communities in the Jos South axis.
The Edo State Police Command has recovered a six-month-old baby allegedly stolen in the state and taken to Imo State.
The spokesperson for the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
According to the PPRO, the suspects connected to the abduction were arrested, while investigation into the incident continues.
She added that the baby has since been reunited with the family.
“Operatives of the Gender and Family Unit successfully recovered a six-month-old baby allegedly stolen and taken to Imo State, while suspects connected to the incident were arrested. The child has since been reunited with the family,” Ikoedem stated.