Ben Bruce Hails Diezani’s London Acquittal, Tells Why

Former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has congratulated former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, following her acquittal by a London jury after a lengthy corruption trial that attracted global attention.

Reacting to the verdict, Murray-Bruce said the outcome was a reminder that justice must be guided by the rule of law rather than public sentiment or political considerations.

“Justice must always be celebrated, regardless of public opinion or political sentiment,” the former lawmaker stated.

He added: “I congratulate my sister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on her acquittal by a London jury after a lengthy legal process. The verdict is a reminder that in any democracy governed by the rule of law, every individual is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial.”

According to him, the decision should reinforce confidence in due process and the principle that accused persons are innocent until proven guilty.

Murray-Bruce also expressed hope that the judgment would finally bring closure to a chapter that has lingered for more than a decade.

“May this bring closure to a chapter that has lasted more than a decade. My best wishes to her and her family,” he added.

The verdict came after jurors at Southwark Crown Court in London found Alison-Madueke not guilty of all six charges brought against her by British prosecutors following years of investigation and legal proceedings. The former minister had consistently denied all allegations against her.

Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015 and was also the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), had faced five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. Prosecutors alleged that she received luxury benefits from individuals seeking oil and gas contracts, allegations she repeatedly rejected.

During the trial, she maintained that she never sought, accepted or requested bribes and argued that she did not possess the level of influence over contract awards alleged by prosecutors. Her legal team similarly contended that official processes, rather than personal discretion, guided contract approvals.

The acquittal brings to an end one of the most closely watched international legal cases involving a former Nigerian public official, concluding a process that stretched across more than a decade of investigations, court proceedings and public scrutiny.