Ijaw Women Celebrate Diezani’s Acquittal, Say Verdict Vindicates Rule of Law

An Ijaw women advocacy group has welcomed the acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, describing the verdict as a victory for due process and the rule of law.

The group, Ijaw Women Advocates for Justice, reacted on Wednesday after a jury at Southwark Crown Court found Alison-Madueke not guilty on five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery following more than 46 hours of deliberations.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, the group said the outcome reaffirmed the principle that allegations should not be mistaken for guilt and that every individual deserves a fair hearing before the law.

“Today, June 17, we receive with gratitude the verdict of the UK court acquitting Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke of all charges brought against her after a lengthy legal process,” the statement said.

The organisation recalled that in April it had publicly urged respect for the judicial process, insisting that the courts should be allowed to determine the matter without interference from public opinion.

“We neither sought to influence the judicial process nor substitute public opinion for the courts. We simply insisted that justice must be allowed to take its course,” the group stated.

According to the women’s group, the verdict underscores the importance of due process in democratic societies and reinforces the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

“Today’s outcome reinforces an important truth: allegations are not convictions, and due process remains the cornerstone of every civilised society,” the statement added.

The group expressed gratitude that the legal proceedings had concluded and commended those who, in its words, stood for fairness and justice throughout the trial.

“As Ijaw women, we remain committed to justice, equity and the rule of law for all people, irrespective of status, gender, ethnicity or circumstance,” the statement concluded.

Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015, had faced allegations linked to corruption and bribery. Her acquittal by the London court brings to a close a high-profile legal battle that attracted significant attention in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.