Legal luminary Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has refuted persistent corruption allegations against former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, stating that UK authorities have never traced any stolen Nigerian funds to her.

In a statement titled “There is no such thing as Diezani Loot” released on Sunday, Ozekhome revealed that the former Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, assured her legal team that no Nigerian government funds had been found stolen by Alison-Madueke.

He noted that the former minister, under investigation by UK authorities since October 2015, has not been charged with misappropriating public funds despite years of scrutiny.

According to Ozekhome, Alison-Madueke’s prolonged ordeal is rooted in baseless accusations, unverified claims, and public vilification without evidence. He highlighted instances where her name was unjustly linked to allegations, such as the case of the ‘Galactica Yacht,’ which she neither owned nor had seen.

Ozekhome cited a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that cleared individuals involved in a Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) of any wrongdoing. He emphasized that issues of non-payment related to the Atlantic Energy SAAs were operational and had no connection to Alison-Madueke, who acted appropriately by alerting authorities and initiating recovery measures when concerns arose.

The lawyer clarified that Alison-Madueke’s role as minister was limited to endorsing contracts already vetted by the NNPC and that she followed due process in her statutory duties.

Ozekhome also revealed the former minister’s health struggles, disclosing that she underwent chemotherapy for cancer shortly before her detention in the UK. Despite her health challenges, he lamented, Alison-Madueke has faced relentless public scrutiny and unfounded accusations.

He called on the public to allow the UK legal process to proceed without interference or prejudice, urging for a fair hearing. “Let the law take its natural course. It is time to stop the vilification of an innocent Nigerian citizen,” Ozekhome concluded.

READ ALSO: Diezani Alison-Madueke Charged With Bribery Offences In UK