Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reacted to her acquittal by Southwark Crown Court in London over bribery charges brought against her by British prosecutors.
The former minister was on Wednesday cleared of five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Reacting to the judgment, Alison-Madueke said she was thankful to God, describing the legal battle as traumatic for her and her family.
Speaking in an interview with News Central, the former minister said the case had taken a heavy emotional toll on her, her relatives and close associates.
“I’m just thankful to God, it’s been arduous, almost 11 years. It’s been traumatic not just for me but for my family, friends, my 93-year-old mother in Port Harcourt and for my son,” she said.
She added that she had remained in the United Kingdom since the legal process began.
“For almost 11 years I have been here. I did my job to the best of my ability,” she said.
Alison-Madueke said despite the difficult years, she believed God remained faithful throughout the ordeal.
“It has been a hard journey, but I tell you this, God will always do as he will. God will be God and God is not a man that he should lie; when he promises you something, he will see it through,” she added.
Alison-Madueke, who served as petroleum minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan, had denied the allegations throughout the trial.
British prosecutors had accused her of receiving benefits from individuals in the oil and gas sector in exchange for alleged favourable treatment.
However, the London court acquitted her of all charges, bringing the long-running case to an end.
