Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has denied any involvement in the $52.8 million repatriated by the U.S. to Nigeria, clarifying that the funds are tied to Nigerian businessman Kola Aluko.
Through her lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Diezani dismissed the “Diezani loot” narrative as baseless and speculative. Ozekhome revealed the funds originated from the forfeiture of a yacht owned by Kola Aluko and not through any dealings involving Diezani.
Ozekhome described the former minister as a victim of misinformation, citing a decade-long campaign to tarnish her image. Despite not being tried or convicted in any court, Diezani has faced continuous vilification.
The U.S. and Nigerian governments have agreed to channel the recovered funds into developmental projects, as stated during the signing of the Asset Return Agreement.
Ozekhome urged an end to the narrative falsely linking Diezani to the funds, emphasizing her innocence and reiterating that the yacht and its proceeds were unrelated to her tenure or activities as Minister of Petroleum Resources.
