Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has responded to long-standing allegations linking her to more than 80 properties and $153 million reportedly recovered by Nigerian authorities.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, in 2022, announced the recovery of the funds and numerous assets allegedly tied to the former minister. However, Alison-Madueke has denied direct ownership of the forfeited assets.

Speaking during an interview with the BBC following her acquittal by a London court, she stated that the properties and funds were not traced directly to her.

“The assets that have been forfeited were not actually traced directly to me… I don’t know what has happened to these matters at all. It’s now that I’ll have the freedom to find out exactly what has gone on there,” she said.

Alison-Madueke added that she would address the events surrounding the past decade and outline her future plans “in due course.”

On the collapse of the prosecution’s case, she suggested that responsibility should be shared between Nigerian and UK authorities. According to her, investigative and legal processes in politically sensitive cases require greater scrutiny and sensitivity.

“There’s a bit of blame everywhere,” she said. “The Nigerian authorities need to look into the processes and practices they deploy in these cases. The long arm of the law, when extended into other countries, particularly in politically motivated cases, needs to have a lot more sensitivity.”

She also raised concerns over the handling of evidence, claiming that documents which could have supported her defence went missing after being taken from her Abuja residence in 2015.

“Those items were taken away by our intelligence forces,” she alleged.

Furthermore, Alison-Madueke argued that her efforts to reform Nigeria’s oil sector and combat corruption may have contributed to the legal challenges she later faced. She claimed that powerful interests affected by her reforms pushed back against her.

She also criticised the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), stating that investigators failed to fully understand the complexities of Nigeria’s oil industry before pursuing the case.

“I think that being such a low-hanging fruit in terms of opposition and the accusations they were throwing at me throughout that period, I wish they had taken a step back and looked more deeply at the actual truth of the situation on the ground,” she said.

Reflecting on her tenure, she noted that her anti-corruption stance in the oil sector made her unpopular among entrenched interests.

“I tried to push back and fight corruption in the oil sector, which did not go down well with many of the cabals at home,” she added.

Alison-Madueke also highlighted the challenges she faced as the first female petroleum minister and former President of OPEC, describing the environment as “very misogynistic.”

“I was the first female to enter this position… The NCA should have taken a step back and looked more deeply at the truth of the situation,” she said.

Her acquittal marks a significant development in a case that has spanned several years and attracted international attention.