NEWS
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.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced the final phase of restoration works on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line following the recent collapse of Tower T367 along the line corridor.
TCN, in an update issued on Wednesday, said significant progress had been recorded at the affected location in Yauri, where restoration activities are ongoing.
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According to the company, the collapsed transmission tower has now been completely dismantled and decommissioned, while the conductors and skywire have been properly aligned and prepared for the next stage of the restoration process.
TCN also disclosed that an Emergency Restoration System (ERS) tower has been moved to the site and is ready for installation.
The company said the installation would be followed by cable stringing and other associated works towards the restoration of the affected transmission line.
“Our engineers and technical personnel remain actively engaged at the site and are working hard to ensure a quick completion and restoration of the line.”
TCN said it remained committed to restoring normal bulk transmission as soon as possible and appealed to electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the incident for patience and understanding.
“TCN appreciates the patience and understanding of electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the incident and assures the public that every effort is being made to restore the line and consequently, normal bulk transmission as soon as possible.”
The National Union of Edible Oil Tanker Drivers of Nigeria (NUEOTDN) has suspended its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin Wednesday following Federal Government intervention in its dispute with operators in the edible oil industry.
The last-minute suspension averted a potential disruption in the transportation and distribution of edible oil across the country, with the union directing members to maintain normal operations while negotiations continue.
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NUEOTDN President, Ilias Aperun, announced the decision in a statement dated September 22, saying interventions by President Bola Tinubu and the Department of State Services (DSS) had opened discussions towards resolving the issues that prompted the planned industrial action.
“The planned industrial action scheduled to commence today, 23rd September 2026, has been suspended.”
Aperun said the union decided to give the government intervention time to produce results in the interest of economic stability and protection of the edible oil supply chain.
“In the interest of peace, national economic stability and the protection of the edible oil supply chain, the Union has decided to suspend the planned action and give room for the ongoing government intervention,” he said.
The union consequently directed its members and other stakeholders to halt preparations for the strike and continue normal operations pending further directives.
Aperun said discussions aimed at resolving the dispute were already underway, adding that the union remained committed to protecting the welfare and legitimate interests of its members without jeopardising the supply of edible oil.
“The NUEOTDN remains committed to the protection of the public health of the masses, welfare and legitimate interests of its comrades, while also supporting a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the issues at stake,” he said.
He urged stakeholders in the industry to cooperate with the ongoing negotiations, saying constructive engagement remained necessary to resolve the issues raised by the tanker drivers.
The union expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its intervention and urged members to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of the discussions.
Aperun said further developments would be communicated as negotiations progressed.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the construction of a $12 million Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship, saying the facility will strengthen Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem and create more opportunities for businesses to grow and generate jobs.
The President made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE) is being developed at the SMEDAN Industrial Development Centre in Idu, Abuja, with funding from the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
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The project is being implemented in partnership with the Federal Government through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The centre will provide workspaces, digital facilities, training, incubation and enterprise support for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing businesses.
According to the statement, the facility has an initial target of supporting 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start-ups and 1,500 MSMEs.
About $5.9 million of the investment will be allocated to construction, while $6.1 million will fund equipment and programmes designed to support entrepreneurs and businesses.
Tinubu said the centre would help establish, strengthen and grow businesses.
“Small businesses are an important part of our economy. They employ people, support families and create activity in communities across the country.
“Many entrepreneurs already have the ideas and the determination to succeed. What they often need is better access to facilities, technology, training and the support that can help their businesses grow.
“This Centre will provide more of that support and strengthen the ecosystem around them,” he said.
The centre is expected to serve businesses in Abuja and surrounding cities, including Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi and Lokoja.
It is also expected to contribute to strengthening the wider entrepreneurship and MSME ecosystem across Northern Nigeria.
The President said the Federal Government would continue to expand the conditions that allow small businesses to grow and compete.
“We want more Nigerians to be able to start businesses, grow them and employ others.
“We also want existing small businesses to have better access to the tools and support they need to become stronger and more productive.
“That is important for jobs, incomes and the wider economy,” Tinubu said.
He added that the project complements the administration’s wider investments in digital skills, entrepreneurship, enterprise development and support for MSMEs.
The centre has also been designed to accommodate women and persons with disabilities. It will include accessible facilities and crèche services for women with young children.
While construction is ongoing, SMEDAN, KOICA and UNDP will work with universities, incubators, financial institutions, private-sector organisations and entrepreneur networks to build a wider support system around the centre.
The partners will also identify businesses that can benefit from the centre’s programmes.
Tinubu thanked the South Korean government for the $12 million investment and commended KOICA, UNDP and SMEDAN for advancing the project to the construction stage.
He said Nigeria would continue to welcome investments and partnerships that strengthen local businesses, deepen enterprise development and create more jobs.
“Our economy will be stronger when more Nigerian businesses can start, survive and grow.
“We must keep building the support around them and opening more opportunities for enterprise across the country,” the President said.
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