The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has said the recent acquittal of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke on charges in the United Kingdom should not close the book on questions surrounding Nigeria’s oil wealth, public accountability and asset recovery.
Speaking at a media and civil society briefing on Tuesday, ANEEJ’s Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, told journalists and civil society partners from Nigeria and the United Kingdom that while his organisation respects the outcome of the UK trial, the broader conversation about accountability must continue.
“We respect the decision of the UK court and the principles of due process and the rule of law,” Rev. Ugolor said in his opening remarks. “However, the acquittal of Diezani Alison-Madueke on the specific UK charges should not bring an end to the wider conversation about Nigeria’s oil wealth, public accountability, illicit financial flows and asset recovery.”
He stressed that ANEEJ’s position was not intended to cast judgment on any individual, but rather to keep focus on the public interest.
“Our concern is not about prejudging any individual. It is about the public interest,” he said.
Rev. Ugolor outlined a set of questions he said remain central to Nigeria’s accountability efforts. “The key questions for Nigeria remain: What happened to public resources? What assets have been recovered? On what legal basis? And how can Nigerians be assured that recovered assets ultimately benefit the public?” he asked.
He called on Nigerian authorities to take greater ownership of investigations into the country’s resources, rather than relying solely on foreign jurisdictions.
“Nigeria cannot outsource accountability for Nigerian resources,” he said.
At the same time, he acknowledged the importance of continued international collaboration in tackling cross-border financial crimes.
“International cooperation with the UK and other jurisdictions remains essential because illicit financial flows cross borders. But Nigeria must strengthen its own capacity to investigate, prosecute and recover stolen assets effectively,” Rev. Ugolor said.
He further argued that recovering stolen assets is only part of the process, insisting that the goal must be tangible benefit to Nigerian citizens.
“For us at ANEEJ, asset recovery is not the end of accountability. Recovery must lead to restitution and public benefit,” he said.
According to Rev. Ugolor, the briefing was designed to shift attention away from individual personalities and toward the institutional reforms needed to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture.
“Today’s briefing therefore provides an opportunity to move beyond the personalities and examine the institutional lessons: how Nigeria can strengthen evidence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, international collaboration and transparent asset recovery,” he said.
He summarised ANEEJ’s position in clear terms, calling for continued accountability regardless of the trial’s outcome.
“We respect the UK verdict. But accountability must continue where the evidence leads. Nigeria must take responsibility for protecting its resources, strengthening its institutions and ensuring that recovered assets serve the Nigerian people,” Rev. Ugolor said, before inviting participants to a “constructive discussion” on the matter.
