The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has urged the Nigerian government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to continue investigations and asset-recovery proceedings involving former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke despite her acquittal in the United Kingdom.
HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, made the call in a statement while reacting to the June 17 verdict delivered by a jury at the Southwark Crown Court in London.
Alison-Madueke was found not guilty of six bribery-related charges following a five-month trial in the UK. The case centred on allegations that she accepted or benefited from bribes.
Suraju said the UK court’s decision should be respected as the outcome of the specific criminal charges brought against Alison-Madueke in Britain. However, he maintained that the verdict should not automatically determine the outcome of separate investigations, prosecutions or asset-recovery proceedings in Nigeria.
According to HEDA, criminal prosecution and asset recovery are distinct legal processes. The organisation argued that an acquittal in one jurisdiction does not necessarily settle questions surrounding assets that are subject to separate forfeiture or recovery proceedings under Nigerian law.
The anti-corruption organisation therefore called on Nigerian authorities, particularly the EFCC, to pursue any viable cases against the former minister where credible evidence exists, while ensuring that investigations and legal proceedings comply with due process and the rule of law.
HEDA also warned against allowing foreign court decisions to determine whether corruption allegations involving Nigerian citizens should be investigated or prosecuted within Nigeria.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan, remains involved in separate legal proceedings in Nigeria concerning assets allegedly linked to her.
HEDA further called on Nigerian authorities to provide greater transparency regarding assets recovered or forfeited in connection with the former minister.
The organisation wants authorities to disclose relevant information about the status, location and management of such assets, stressing the importance of accountability in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption and asset-recovery efforts.
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