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Diezani Claims Being Scapegoated over Subsidy at London Court
Nigeria’s former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has submitted that she was irrationally blamed and scapegoated for decisions taken at the highest levels of government, particularly during the fallout from Nigeria’s 2012 fuel subsidy crisis.
She made the assertion when her trial resumed on Day 23 at the Southwark Crown Court in London.
Testifying under cross-examination, Diezani said she felt “betrayed” by the manner in which the subsidy removal was implemented under former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that the abrupt New Year’s Day announcement triggered nationwide unrest and placed her, as petroleum minister, at the centre of public outrage.
She insisted that the policy had been the subject of prior deliberations and that its sudden execution exposed her to criticism for decisions she did not solely control.
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“I felt betrayed to a certain extent,” she said, referring to the decision taken under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“I felt like a scapegoat because I was ultimately responsible as oil minister.”
Diezani rejected suggestions by the prosecution that she exercised authority over luxury properties allegedly connected to businessman Ben Peters, insisting that her involvement was limited to offering interior design advice.
“I was giving advice, not instructions,” she told the court, pushing back against claims that she directed refurbishment works or controlled the properties in question.
According to her, communications with contractors and intermediaries were purely advisory and did not translate into ownership or decision-making authority.
She further argued that there was no documentary evidence directly linking her to legal ownership of the properties, maintaining that any inference to the contrary was speculative.
On the issue of her alleged use of a property known as Harbour House, she said she did not stay there and, at most, may have visited once.
At several points during the proceedings, Diezani challenged the credibility of witnesses whose accounts the prosecution relied upon.
She questioned the accuracy of a furniture dealer’s testimony regarding payment arrangements and dismissed attempts to identify her through visitor logs under a different name.
“You are implying that the black woman is me, and I’m telling you that I’m not the one,” she said, firmly rejecting the suggestion.
A key plank of her defence was her insistence that she did not improperly benefit from luxury goods.
While acknowledging that she selected furniture and decorative items during the period under review, she maintained that any items used personally were paid for.
“There was always someone to pay at the point of purchase,” she said, explaining that while third parties may have handled payments initially, reimbursements were made in cash.
She told the court that this reflected the realities of Nigeria’s largely cash-based economy at the time.
Diezani also offered explanations for the movement and storage of items cited by the prosecution, describing them as part of a normal interior design process rather than evidence of personal acquisition.
According to her, items were often moved between locations or placed in storage as part of staging and refurbishment decisions.
Addressing allegations of financial benefits flowing through associates to her family, the former minister distanced herself from such transactions and denied prior knowledge of them.
She told the court she was unaware of donations allegedly made to her brother’s church and had no involvement in its affairs beyond attending an award ceremony.
“I was not involved in any way,” she said, adding that her brother never discussed such matters with her.
On payments made by associates for personal or family-related expenses, including school fees, Diezani framed such gestures within the context of Nigerian social norms.
She explained that it was not unusual for wealthy individuals to assist others financially, and that such actions should not automatically be construed as improper.
In one instance, she said her son’s school fees in the United Kingdom were paid by Peters after he overheard a conversation about the issue.
She insisted that the payment was unsolicited and consistent with a culture of generosity.
“We did not ask for it,” she said, maintaining that there was no intention to derive undue benefit.
Diezani also addressed questions surrounding her use of a private jet, which prosecutors suggested reflected extravagant spending.
She maintained that the flight was necessitated by the urgency of the situation in Nigeria at the time of the fuel subsidy crisis.
According to her, she had originally planned to return to Nigeria on a commercial flight but had to leave earlier due to the sudden escalation of unrest.
“We were taken completely by surprise,” she said, explaining that her immediate return was required in response to the deteriorating situation.
Throughout the cross-examination, Diezani frequently stated that she could not recall specific details relating to emails, invoices, and transactions dating back more than a decade.
She attributed these memory gaps to the passage of time and the volume of material presented in court.
“Madam Prosecutor, I cannot possibly answer that question in 2026, after all these years,” she said during one exchange.
The prosecution, however, continues to argue that the pattern of communications, payments, and asset movements forms part of a broader scheme in which Diezani benefited from assets held in the names of others.
Proceedings are expected to continue with further cross-examination as the court examines the competing narratives.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has insisted that political power in Nigeria will remain unchanged even if insecurity in the country worsens, declaring that the ruling party remains firmly in control ahead of future elections.
Okpebholo made the statement on Tuesday during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the upcoming local government council elections in Edo South Senatorial District.
The governor said the recent rise in insecurity across parts of the country is being politicised, alleging that some actors are deliberately worsening the situation to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
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He maintained that such efforts would not succeed in altering the political direction of the country.
“Even if insecurity worsens, power will not change hands. They can even kidnap all of us—there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” Okpebholo declared.
He further argued that those behind the alleged political manipulation of insecurity have no viable alternative agenda, stressing that violence would only harm ordinary citizens rather than achieve political gain.
The governor also defended the performance of the federal government, noting that key policy decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidy, were beginning to translate into visible development projects across states.
He commended candidates of the All Progressives Congress who emerged from the party primaries for the forthcoming council polls, urging them to take the party’s message of development to grassroots communities.
Okpebholo expressed confidence that the party’s performance at the local government elections would strengthen its position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event also featured the official unveiling of APC candidates for various positions in Edo South Senatorial District.
The Senate has raised concerns over the financial operations of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), questioning alleged expenditures including N153 million reportedly spent on renting a single-room liaison office in Abuja.
The matter was raised during an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, as lawmakers examined the commission’s 2025 budget implementation and spending records.
The committee disclosed that the SEDC received N16.6 billion in December 2025, with about N13 billion reportedly remaining in its account, suggesting that roughly N3.6 billion had already been expended.
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Lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the financial report submitted by the commission, insisting that several figures were unclear and required detailed justification.
A key concern was the alleged N153 million spent on office rent in Abuja, despite the commission’s headquarters being located in Enugu.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu described the financial submission as unacceptable and demanded proper accountability.
“This committee is disappointed with the financial report presented. It is completely unacceptable,” Kalu said.
Other members of the committee also questioned additional expenditures reflected in the report, including about N2.5 billion described as unclear or insufficiently explained.
Responding to the concerns, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SEDC, Mark Okoye, defended the commission’s spending, insisting that all expenditures were carried out prudently and within available resources.
Okoye explained that the commission operates based on actual cash releases rather than full budgeted allocations, noting that this approach helps prevent financial mismanagement.
“For example, having a budget of N140 billion does not automatically mean that N140 billion in cash is available. It would be irresponsible to award contracts worth the entire budget if only N10 billion or N20 billion has actually been released,” he said.
However, the committee was not satisfied with the explanations and directed the commission to submit full documentation of all expenditures, including contract details, payment records, and supporting documents, on or before June 23.
Senator Kalu added that the committee would review the documents before fixing another date for further appearance.
“By the 23rd, we want to have the complete documentation. Once we receive and review the documents, we will determine the date for your next appearance before the committee,” he stated.
The hearing was thereafter adjourned, with lawmakers insisting on full transparency and accountability in the management of public funds allocated to the commission.
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to move beyond promises and take urgent, decisive action to address the worsening security crisis across the country.
The Council, in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, expressed concern over the persistent wave of killings, kidnappings, banditry and terrorism, saying Nigerians continue to live in fear despite repeated assurances from authorities that security challenges are being tackled.
According to the Council, the security situation has reached an alarming stage, with recent incidents in Borno, Oyo, Niger and Zamfara states underscoring the vulnerability of communities already struggling with years of violence and criminal activities.
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The Council also cited the recent abduction of a retired Army General and his wife in Katsina State, describing it as further evidence of the growing reach of kidnappers and armed gangs across the country.
It noted that many attacks occurring in rural and underserved areas often go unreported, suggesting that the true extent of the crisis may be far greater than official figures indicate.
Citing reports from security monitoring and human rights organisations, the Council said thousands of Nigerians have been killed, displaced or abducted in recent months.
It added that reports indicate more than 1,000 people were kidnapped across northern Nigeria during the first quarter of the year.
Expressing frustration over what it described as a lack of meaningful progress, the Council said repeated appeals by traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and concerned citizens for stronger security measures have yet to produce significant results.
“Nigerians are tired of speeches, promises, condolences, committees and official rhetoric that are not matched by concrete action and measurable outcomes. What the nation requires now is decisive intervention and visible results,” the statement read.
The Council reminded the Federal Government that the protection of lives and property remains one of its core constitutional responsibilities, stressing that no administration can be considered successful while citizens continue to face threats from criminal elements.
While acknowledging the sacrifices and commitment of military personnel and other security operatives, the Council said its criticism was directed at broader leadership and strategic shortcomings in the fight against insecurity.
It also called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds allocated to the security sector, insisting that citizens deserve to know how resources earmarked for defence and intelligence operations are being utilised.
The Council further urged the government to embrace innovative and proactive measures, including improved intelligence gathering, deployment of modern technology, stronger collaboration among security agencies, enhanced community participation and tighter border security.
Warning against complacency, the Council said Nigerians are expecting competent leadership, concrete action and measurable progress in restoring peace and security across the country.
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