The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has publicly dissociated itself from a proposed communiqué on the acquittal of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, saying the document does not reflect the organisation’s agreed position.
In a letter addressed to civil society partners, ANEEJ’s Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, said the organisation could not endorse the communiqué “in its present form” and asked that its name not be linked to the statement “without our prior written approval.”
Ugolor clarified that ANEEJ had not challenged the outcome of Alison-Madueke’s trial in the United Kingdom. “ANEEJ’s position is that the acquittal of Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke by the UK court must be fully respected,” he wrote, adding that the organisation “did not call for her retrial, nor did we make any determination concerning her personal guilt.”
He noted, however, that the UK verdict does not automatically close related matters in Nigeria. “The UK acquittal does not automatically terminate legally distinct Nigerian investigations, asset-recovery proceedings or final forfeiture orders,” Ugolor stated, stressing that “any continuing action must be based on credible evidence, due process and applicable constitutional safeguards.”
ANEEJ took issue with the wording of the draft statement, arguing that certain phrases overstepped the group’s position.
According to the letter, expressions such as “has a case to answer,” “insatiable looting,” and claims that a specific sum was personally stolen by Alison-Madueke “go beyond ANEEJ’s agreed position” and “could be interpreted as prejudging matters that should be determined through lawful proceedings.”
The letter also rejected sections of the communiqué unrelated to the corruption case.
Ugolor said discussions on “gender and presidential candidacy,” along with “the appeal for financial support and the inclusion of a personal bank account,” were never part of ANEEJ’s webinar, communiqué, or institutional stance. “ANEEJ therefore cannot be associated with those aspects of the statement,” he said.
While ANEEJ acknowledged that its partner organisations, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOBAG) and NO TO CORRUPTION, remain “free to issue an independent statement reflecting their own conclusions,” it insisted that any suggestion the statement carries ANEEJ’s endorsement be removed.
The letter further stated that the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) “should also be approached separately for their written approval.”
Despite the disagreement over the communiqué’s content, ANEEJ reaffirmed its broader commitment to anti-corruption advocacy.
Ugolor said the organisation remains “open to cooperation on transparent implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act, establishment of a publicly accessible recovered-assets database and the lawful recovery and use of proceeds of crime for the benefit of Nigerians.”
He closed the letter by thanking the coalition for its “understanding” of ANEEJ’s position.
