Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied any connection to the $52.8 million recently repatriated to Nigeria from the United States. Through her legal counsel, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Diezani refuted claims linking her to the funds, which she insists belong to Nigerian oil magnate Kola Aluko.
In a statement titled “There is No Such Thing as Diezani Loot,” her legal team clarified that the funds originated from the sale of a vessel, the Galactica Star, seized by U.S. authorities from Aluko. The proceeds were later returned to the Nigerian government. Diezani emphasized that she had no involvement in the forfeiture or any related transactions.
The statement reads:
“My chambers make this intervention in the public domain as solicitors to Diezani Alison-Madueke (DAM), former Minister of Petroleum Resources. We aim to correct the false narratives and set the record straight. The $52.8 million is linked to a yacht owned by Kola Aluko and not to DAM, who has never owned, seen, or used the vessel.”
Her counsel highlighted that the false association stemmed from claims about Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) between Aluko’s Atlantic Energy and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). However, they argued that Diezani, not being the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, had no authority to award such contracts.
The statement further lamented the sustained vilification of Diezani in the public domain, despite no court in Nigeria or abroad finding her guilty of any wrongdoing. It called for fair treatment, urging critics to allow the ongoing legal proceedings in the UK to follow due process without prejudice.
Her legal team concluded:
“We plead with all to refrain from perpetuating defamatory and false narratives against her. Let the law take its natural course without interference.”
