Ex-Petroleum Minister Diezani Denies Ownership Of Repatriated $52.8m Loot
The former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has categorically denied claims linking her to the $52.8 million recently repatriated to Nigeria from the United States. The funds were part of the proceeds from the sale of a yacht seized by U.S. authorities, which was linked to Nigerian oil magnate Kola Aluko.
In a statement issued through her legal counsel, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the former minister rejected accusations that the money was part of the so-called “Diezani Loot.” She emphasized that she had no involvement in the events leading to the forfeiture and repatriation of the funds. Instead, Diezani’s lawyers argued that the money came from the sale of a yacht, the Galactica Super Nova, which had been seized by the U.S. government from Kola Aluko, a business partner of former Nigerian government officials, including Jide Omokore.
Details of the Statement
In the lengthy press statement issued by Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers, the defense team emphasized that the yacht was purchased by Kola Aluko and not by Diezani Alison-Madueke. The statement went on to explain that Diezani had never owned or used the yacht, which was ultimately forfeited by Aluko after being seized by U.S. authorities. According to the lawyers, the Galactica yacht had been sold, and the proceeds were repatriated to the Nigerian government, but Diezani had no connection to the sale or the funds.
The defense further noted that the yacht’s association with Diezani in media reports was a “deliberate and false narrative” designed to tarnish her reputation. The statement underscored that the true owner of the yacht, Kola Aluko, was a businessman well established before Diezani assumed office as the Petroleum Minister.
Addressing the “Diezani Loot” Narrative
Diezani’s legal team condemned the continued use of the term “Diezani Loot”, calling it a misleading and defamatory characterization aimed at damaging her name. They argued that the only tenuous link between Diezani and the yacht was her involvement in the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) between Aluko’s company, Atlantic Energy, and the NNPC. However, the defense emphasized that Diezani was not responsible for awarding contracts at NNPC, as she was not the Group Managing Director (GMD) at the time of the contract’s awarding.
The statement also highlighted the “false, unfounded, and defamatory” nature of the accusations, urging the public to allow the legal process to unfold without interference. It further requested that those spreading the misinformation be held accountable for the harm caused to Diezani’s reputation.
Legal Proceedings and Fair Hearing
Diezani’s lawyers called for a fair hearing in the ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where she faces charges related to corruption and money laundering. They warned against the “mob lynching” of an innocent citizen based on speculations and falsehoods.
The defense team expressed confidence that the truth would come out and urged the public to respect the legal process and avoid prejudicing the case by making unsubstantiated claims.
Conclusion
Diezani Alison-Madueke’s denial of the claims regarding the $52.8 million repatriated from the sale of the Galactica yacht adds a new layer to her ongoing legal battles. As she continues to face scrutiny over her tenure as petroleum minister, her legal team remains determined to clear her name, urging a fair trial and an end to the misinformation campaign surrounding her.
