A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London has acquitted former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, of all six bribery charges brought against her by UK authorities.

The verdict was delivered on Wednesday after jurors spent more than 46 hours deliberating on the case.

During the trial, a written statement from former President Goodluck Jonathan was presented in court. In the statement, Jonathan said it was not uncommon for third parties to cover expenses for ministers undertaking official duties abroad. He also confirmed that he had approved Alison-Madueke's use of private jets for some international trips while she served in government.

The trial began in January 2026, nearly three years after UK authorities charged the former minister in August 2023 over allegations linked to a £100,000 bribe.

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) alleged that Alison-Madueke accepted benefits from business figures in exchange for influencing the award of lucrative oil and gas contracts during her tenure in office.

She was tried alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama. All defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors argued that Alison-Madueke received luxury gifts and access to high-end properties from individuals seeking favorable treatment in Nigeria's oil sector. Alexandra Healy, representing the prosecution, told jurors that the former minister enjoyed a lavish lifestyle in London funded by people with interests in Nigerian oil contracts.

According to the prosecution, businessman Kolawole Aluko, who was named in one of the charges but was not on trial, spent more than £2 million on luxury purchases for Alison-Madueke at Harrods. Jurors also heard claims that she and her family frequently stayed in a mansion outside London allegedly purchased by Aluko.

In her defence, Alison-Madueke's legal team argued that she had limited authority over the approval of oil contracts, noting that decisions typically passed through several agencies before reaching her office. Defence counsel further maintained that operational control of the petroleum sector rested largely with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), while the ministry's role was primarily supervisory.

Following the jury's decision, Alison-Madueke was cleared of all charges, bringing the high-profile case to a close.