God Is Not A Man, Alison-Madueke Reacts To Acquittal Of Bribery Charges

Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has spoken following her acquittal on all bribery and corruption charges by a London court, describing the nearly 11-year legal battle as an “arduous” and “traumatic” ordeal for her entire family.

In a video broadcast by News Central on Wednesday, Alison-Madueke expressed gratitude to God and her inner circle for standing by her throughout the prolonged international legal scrutiny.

The former minister, who has resided in the United Kingdom since leaving office in 2015, maintained that she served her country with absolute integrity during her tenure heading the nation’s oil sector.

She said, “I’m just thankful to God. It’s been a very, very arduous and long, almost 11 years. It’s been traumatic for, not just for me, but for my family, for friends, for all those who have stayed and supported, for my 93-year-old mother in Port Harcourt, for my son, and for all those who love us, friends and family.

“We’re surrounded by friends here. So it has been a hard journey.”

“But I tell you this, God will always do as God wills, and God will be God. God is not a man that he should lie. So when he promises you something, he will see it through. It has been almost 11 years I’ve been here. I did my job to the best of my ability, but like I said, God is not a man that he should lie,” she added.

It was reported that Alison-Madueke, was acquitted on Wednesday of six bribery charges following a high-profile corruption trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court.

Alison-Madueke, who served as minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, reportedly faced five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which she denied.

Prosecutors were also reported to have alleged that the 65-year-old Alison-Madueke, was given “a life of luxury” in London by oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria, a country that has long struggled with corruption and mismanagement.