Renowned lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has refuted longstanding allegations of corruption against former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, asserting that no stolen Nigerian funds have been traced to her by UK authorities.
In a statement titled ‘There is no such thing as Diezani Loot’ released on Sunday, Ozekhome disclosed that the former Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, confirmed to Alison-Madueke’s lawyers that no Federal Government funds were found missing in her name.
Under investigation in the UK since 2015, Alison-Madueke has not been charged with misappropriating public funds, despite nearly a decade of scrutiny. Ozekhome argued that the allegations against her are baseless, fuelled by public vilification rather than evidence.
“She has been defamed and linked to properties, like the recent case of the ‘Galactica Yacht,’ which she neither owned nor saw,” he stated.
Citing rulings like a High Court decision clearing parties in a Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) of wrongdoing, Ozekhome insisted that Alison-Madueke followed due process during her tenure.
Ozekhome also revealed her health struggles, noting she underwent chemotherapy for cancer shortly before her detention in the UK, and called for an end to her persecution.
“Let the law take its natural course without interference or prejudice,” he urged.
