By Chimezie Godfrey
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) has described the acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by a London court as a setback to global anti-corruption efforts and a reminder of the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms in Nigeria.
According to Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, the organisation respects the unanimous verdict of the Southwark Crown Court jury but believes the outcome should prompt Nigeria to intensify efforts to ensure accountability through its own institutions.
Rafsanjani said the acquittal does not diminish concerns raised during the trial regarding governance failures and transparency challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector between 2011 and 2015.
“The verdict underscores the challenges associated with securing criminal convictions against politically exposed persons based largely on circumstantial lifestyle evidence,” he stated.
He noted that the prosecution was unable to establish beyond reasonable doubt that benefits allegedly received by the former minister, including luxury properties, private jet travel and shopping expenses, were directly linked to abuse of office.
CISLAC argued that allegations relating to actions carried out while Alison-Madueke served in public office should be conclusively addressed by Nigerian institutions rather than relying primarily on foreign jurisdictions.
The organisation further observed that the case highlighted the role of major international financial centres as destinations for illicit financial flows and unexplained wealth.
While commending cooperation between international anti-corruption agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, CISLAC said the case exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture.
“The fact that foreign institutions took the lead in pursuing this matter reflects longstanding weaknesses in Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture and the inability of relevant agencies and the judiciary to effectively prosecute high-profile corruption cases,” the statement added.
The organisation urged the EFCC and the judiciary to pursue all outstanding cases involving Alison-Madueke, strengthen investigations, improve due diligence processes and prioritise asset recovery efforts.
Diezani Acquittal Should Spur Stronger Domestic Accountability, CISLAC Tells Nigerian Authorities
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) has described the acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by a London court as a setback to global anti-corruption efforts and a reminder of the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms in Nigeria.
According to Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, the organisation respects the unanimous verdict of the Southwark Crown Court jury but believes the outcome should prompt Nigeria to intensify efforts to ensure accountability through its own institutions.
Rafsanjani said the acquittal does not diminish concerns raised during the trial regarding governance failures and transparency challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector between 2011 and 2015.
“The verdict underscores the challenges associated with securing criminal convictions against politically exposed persons based largely on circumstantial lifestyle evidence,” he stated.
He noted that the prosecution was unable to establish beyond reasonable doubt that benefits allegedly received by the former minister, including luxury properties, private jet travel and shopping expenses, were directly linked to abuse of office.
CISLAC argued that allegations relating to actions carried out while Alison-Madueke served in public office should be conclusively addressed by Nigerian institutions rather than relying primarily on foreign jurisdictions.
The organisation further observed that the case highlighted the role of major international financial centres as destinations for illicit financial flows and unexplained wealth.
While commending cooperation between international anti-corruption agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, CISLAC said the case exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture.
“The fact that foreign institutions took the lead in pursuing this matter reflects longstanding weaknesses in Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture and the inability of relevant agencies and the judiciary to effectively prosecute high-profile corruption cases,” the statement added.
The organisation urged the EFCC and the judiciary to pursue all outstanding cases involving Alison-Madueke, strengthen investigations, improve due diligence processes and prioritise asset recovery efforts.
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