Diezani: CSOs demand fresh legal proceedings in Nigeria after UK acquittal
By Felix Uroko
Civil society organisations have called on Nigerian authorities to continue all outstanding legal and asset recovery proceedings involving former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, following her recent acquittal by the Southwark Crown Court in London.
The groups said the outcome of the criminal case in the United Kingdom should not automatically bring an end to separate proceedings involving assets linked to the former minister in Nigeria.
The groups said the outcome of the criminal case in the United Kingdom should not automatically bring an end to separate proceedings involving assets linked to the former minister in Nigeria.
The organisations making the call include the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Spotlight on Corruption and CornerHouse UK.
They made their position known during a virtual press briefing focused on the implications of the UK court judgment and ongoing proceedings in Nigeria.
UK acquittal does not end Nigerian proceedings — CSOs
Speaking at the briefing, ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, stressed that criminal proceedings and asset recovery proceedings are separate legal processes.
According to him, while a criminal case determines whether an individual is guilty or not guilty of specific offences, asset recovery proceedings may focus on the ownership or status of particular assets.
Ugolor said the distinction was important in assessing the Nigerian proceedings involving assets associated with Alison-Madueke.
“The UK criminal acquittal and the Nigerian asset forfeiture proceedings are separate legal issues. They are different things entirely,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Federal High Court in July 2026 permitted Alison-Madueke to present the UK judgment as evidence in a Nigerian asset forfeiture case.
Despite this, he maintained that the Nigerian proceedings should be allowed to take their own course in accordance with Nigerian law.
CSO demands transparency over Diezani-linked assets
Ugolor also raised concerns about the transparency and management of assets recovered or currently subject to recovery proceedings.
He argued that Nigerians should be able to access appropriate public records showing the status of recovered assets and how they are being managed.
“It would be difficult for citizens as we speak to point directly to where the Diezani assets are and what happened to them. That is a classical example of poor asset management,” he said.
The ANEEJ executive director called for greater accountability in the handling of assets recovered from corruption-related process
HEDA backs continued legal process
Also speaking, HEDA Chairman and Executive Director, Olanrewaju Suraju, urged Nigerian authorities to maintain focus on outstanding legal and accountability issues linked to Alison-Madueke’s tenure as petroleum minister.
Suraju said any unresolved matters should continue to be handled through the appropriate legal channels.
The CSOs stressed that the UK judgment should be considered within the specific context of the criminal proceedings heard there and should not be interpreted as automatically determining the outcome of separate proceedings in Nigeria.
