In a statement titled “There is No Such Thing as Diezani Loot” and issued through her counsel, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Alison-Madueke clarified that the money originated from the sale of a yacht, Galactica, seized from Nigerian oil magnate Kola Aluko.

The former minister, who has been in the United Kingdom since leaving Nigeria, described reports linking her to the funds as “false and malicious,” accusing the purveyors of deliberately tarnishing her image.

According to her, the vessel in question was seized by the U.S. government, sold, and its proceeds returned to the Federal Government of Nigeria. She emphasized that she had no involvement in the purchase, use, or sale of the yacht.

The statement read in part:
“We note with concern the recent deliberate attempt to link her with what has been described as a civil forfeiture of a yacht, Galactica, the sale of which was said to have yielded $52.8m to the US government; which sum has since been repatriated to Nigeria.

“This is a clear example of the mischievous and cruel sport of tarnishing the image of the lady through a bouquet of consistent, persistent, and unrelenting cocktail of falsehoods and misinformation.

“They now falsely termed it ‘Diezani loot.’ Nothing of the sort ever happened. She was never involved in the purchase, use, and sale of the said yacht.”

Alison-Madueke urged those spreading defamatory narratives about her to cease their actions, stating that such misinformation serves no purpose other than damaging reputations.

This statement marks another chapter in the controversy surrounding allegations of corruption against the former minister, who has consistently denied wrongdoing.

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The money is being sent back to Nigeria from the US, whose authorities allege that Alison-Madueke enriched herself, and others, while leading Nigeria’s state oil firm by awarding contracts in exchange for bribes.

The US alleged that the money was then used to buy a 65-metre superyacht called the Galactica Star plus multiple luxury properties in California and New York.

Alison-Madueke, 64, has always denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

Her alleged ill-gotten gains are also under scrutiny in the UK, where two years ago she was charged with bribery offences including gifts of Louis Vuitton luxury goods, payment of private school fees, and at least $127,000 in cash.

 

 

A key figure in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, she also served as the first female president of the oil exporters group Opec.

Her time as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources began in 2010 and ended in 2015. She previously served as transport minister, and the minister for solid minerals and steel development.

The US Department of Justice announced in 2023 the final resolution of two civil cases on the forfeiture of assets that were reportedly laundered in and through the US by Alison-Madueke and her associates.

 

 

On Friday, the US and Nigeria confirmed that the sum of $52.88m would be repatriated to the West African nation.

This will be the first repatriation to Nigeria of assets outside the West African country linked to Alison-Madueke, the Reuters news agency reports.

Speaking at the formal signing ceremony in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the return of the funds marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat corruption.

Fagbemi said $50m of the money will go through the World Bank to support rural electrification projects, and the remaining $2.88m will be directed to the International Institute of Justice to strengthen the justice system and promote anti-corruption efforts.

Meanwhile the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has emphasised the need for accountability as well as the careful monitoring of the returned funds.

“The ministry of justice must guarantee that these funds are used transparently and effectively to improve the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

In November 2022, the US government repatriated to Nigeria, $20.6m in assets allegedly stolen by former Nigerian military leader Gen Sani Abacha.

Five years ago, Washington transferred $311.8m to the Nigerian government as part of a previous agreement to repatriate assets that traced back to the Abacha regime.

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this during the formal signing ceremony of the asset agreement between Nigeria and the United States in Abuja on Friday.

In his remarks, Fagbemi, according to Channels TV reports, explained that $50 million of the recovered assets would be deployed through the World Bank for the development of rural electrification projects, while the remaining $2 million would be used by the International Institute of Justice to expand the justice system and combat corruption.

Speaking further, Fagbemi noted that the asset return marks a milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the USA to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law.

He also described the event as a significant step by President Bola Tinubu in addressing corruption.

Meanwhile, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, in his remarks, called for effective monitoring and utilisation of the recovered assets by the Ministry of Justice to ensure they benefit Nigerians.

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