Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has accused British authorities of damaging her reputation and personal integrity through a corruption case that lasted more than a decade before ending in her acquittal.
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Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Friday, the former minister said the prolonged investigation and prosecution had caused severe personal and psychological hardship.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday cleared Alison-Madueke of five counts bordering on alleged bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery following a 13-year investigation conducted by the UK's National Crime Agency.
Reacting to the verdict, she said the lengthy legal battle had prevented her from living a normal life.
According to her, she was unable to travel or work throughout the period, adding that the case severely affected her public image.
Alison-Madueke maintained that she had always been confident of her innocence, insisting she was never involved in any of the offences for which she was investigated.
The former minister, who served between 2010 and 2015 and became the first woman to head the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, said the restrictions placed on her over the years had taken a significant emotional toll.
She was initially arrested in 2015 but was not formally charged until 2023.
Prosecutors had alleged that she received luxury gifts and benefits from oil businessmen with interests in government contracts, including expensive properties, chauffeur services and other high-value items in the United Kingdom.
Alison-Madueke, however, claimed that documents she considered crucial to her defence disappeared after security operatives searched her Abuja residence in 2015.
She said the missing records included evidence that certain expenses paid on her behalf had been reimbursed.
The former minister also criticised the handling of the case by both Nigerian and British authorities, urging law enforcement agencies to exercise greater caution when dealing with politically sensitive investigations.
She argued that cross-border investigations should be conducted with more sensitivity, particularly where political considerations may arise.
Alison-Madueke further suggested that her prominence in Nigeria's oil sector may have contributed to the scrutiny she faced, noting that she broke barriers as the first female petroleum minister and the first woman to lead OPEC.
Responding to her comments, a spokesperson for the UK's National Crime Agency said the agency carried out a detailed and complex investigation in collaboration with international partners and that the process was subject to regular reviews by prosecutors and investigators.
The spokesperson added that a comprehensive case file was submitted to prosecutors, who approved the charges, while stressing that the agency respected the jury's decision.
The former minister also addressed previous asset recovery actions linked to the corruption allegations.
She referenced a 2023 announcement by the United States Department of Justice regarding the recovery of approximately $53 million in assets connected to two oil businessmen mentioned during the UK proceedings.
Alison-Madueke argued that she was denied the opportunity to challenge the allegations because she was never charged in relation to those assets.
She also questioned reports by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission concerning properties and assets allegedly linked to her, insisting that the forfeited assets were not directly traced to her.
According to her, the acquittal would now give her the freedom to seek clarity on the various asset recovery claims made over the years.
Her brother, Doye Agamas, and oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde were also acquitted in the trial.
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