Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The founder and president of Ijaw Women Connect (IWC), Princess Rosemary John-Oduone, has hailed the acquittal of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke by a United Kingdom court as a victory for the Ijaw people, Nigerian women, and supporters across the world who stood by her throughout the lengthy legal process.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Friday, June 19, 2026, John-Oduone said the verdict underscored the importance of fair hearing and justice after more than a decade of legal scrutiny. “This victory of her being acquitted of all six charges against her is not just a victory to her alone, but a victory to a complex of Ijaw people, friends across the world that stood in solidarity for her,” she said. “And I think it’s a win-win for Nigeria women because when you look at the political space. So, I think we should all appreciate the fact that the UK court has done their best.”
A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, found Alison-Madueke not guilty on five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery after more than 46 hours of deliberation. The 65-year-old former minister, who oversaw Nigeria’s petroleum sector from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan and briefly served as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), had consistently denied all allegations throughout the proceedings. Her brother, Doye Agama, was found not guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, while co-defendant Olatimbo Ayinde was acquitted on two bribery-related counts.
The verdict represents a significant setback for British authorities, who had been investigating corruption allegations against Alison-Madueke for over a decade. Prosecutors had alleged that she received £100,000 in cash and accepted a range of benefits, including private jet travel, chauffeur-driven vehicles, and luxury goods from individuals linked to oil and gas companies seeking favourable treatment and access to lucrative contracts in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. However, Alison-Madueke rejected the allegations, insisting that she never solicited or accepted bribes and did not exercise the level of control over contract awards alleged by prosecutors.
John-Oduone expressed confidence that Alison-Madueke would be able to clear her name in Nigeria, arguing that she had already endured the most difficult phase of her legal challenges during the lengthy proceedings in the United Kingdom. “I think she has held her offices very high, and I don’t think any allegation leveled against her this time will really make too much of a controversy because she will be able to prove them right that she’s not guilty. I’m very sure of that,” she maintained.
Addressing concerns about the public perception of the acquitted former minister, John-Oduone said Alison-Madueke had faced years of media scrutiny despite not being convicted by any court. She urged the public to allow due process in the matter. “She has always been a victim of media validation, and I think that I will plead that we should stop. Because we cannot play the juries and also become the judge. So, we should be able to restrain some of these media comments we make concerning issues that are still before a court of competent jurisdiction,” she stressed.
Responding to questions about the 13 money laundering charges still pending against Alison-Madueke in Nigeria, John-Oduone said the former minister should first be allowed to return to the country before any conclusions are drawn about the allegations against her. “I think she should come back first. Let’s allow her to come back first. And if EFCC has by any way alleged her, because everything up till now is being alleged, not convicted, not found guilty. So, when she comes back, and if they so feel that they will still go on with whatever investigation or processes they want to go through,” she stated.
Speaking on allegations of corruption against Alison-Madueke, John-Oduone said she would not prejudge the former minister, insisting that only the courts can determine her guilt or innocence. She urged Nigerians to allow the EFCC and other relevant agencies to complete their investigations and let due process take its course. “I am not the judge, and I won’t play judge over these issues. So, like I said, we will wait. We’ll allow her to come, let us see what will happen after that,” she said.
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