Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Maduekeshe spoke out after a British court acquitted her of bribery charges following a protracted investigation spanning more than a decade.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, the former minister accused British authorities of damaging her reputation and integrity during the 13-year investigation, which she said had a devastating impact on her personal and professional life.
“They destroyed my reputation and my integrity. I wasn’t allowed to travel. I wasn’t allowed to work. When your freedom is taken away, it has a very deep psychological impact on you,” she said.
Alison-Madueke was cleared of five indictments for bribery and conspiracy for bribery by Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, ending a legal battle that began years ago.
According to her, she always maintained her innocence and never doubted that she would be vindicated in the end.
“I knew that I had never done anything wrong and I had never done any of the heinous things that I was accused of.” she added.
The former minister also asserted that the investigation could have been conducted differently, pointing out that the lengthy process denied her opportunities and affected her freedom.
Alison-Madueke was Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015 and made history as the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
