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According to a report by PM News, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has spoken about the effect of the corruption case she faced in the United Kingdom, saying the long legal process affected her reputation, movement, and ability to work.
Diezani Alison-Madueke was recently acquitted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London after facing allegations of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery.
Following the court decision, the former minister said the case had a serious impact on her life and public image.
She explained that the investigation and trial affected her freedom for several years.
Speaking during an interview with the BBC, Diezani Alison-Madueke said, “I’ve not been allowed to travel. I’ve not been allowed to work. They destroyed my reputation and my integrity.”
The former petroleum minister stated that the experience was painful and difficult for her, adding that losing her freedom affected her emotionally.
“When your freedom is taken away from you, it has a very deep impact upon you psychologically,” Diezani Alison-Madueke said.
She also maintained that she had never committed the offences she was accused of during the investigation that lasted several years.
Diezani Alison-Madueke was first arrested in 2015 but was not charged until 2023.
Prosecutors had accused her of receiving benefits from businessmen who had dealings in the oil industry, including luxury items and access to high-value properties.
However, she, her brother Doye Agama, and oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde were cleared by the court.
The former minister also questioned previous claims about assets linked to her, saying some properties and assets were not directly connected to her.
She said she now has the opportunity to investigate what happened to those assets and understand the situation better.
Diezani Alison-Madueke also criticised how the case was handled by authorities, saying there should be more careful consideration when dealing with politically sensitive cases involving different countries.
The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency said it carried out a detailed investigation and respected the decision of the jury after the trial.
