The League of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria has raised concerns over the ongoing United Kingdom trial involving former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, questioning the fairness of the proceedings and the strength of the evidence presented.
The group stated that its assessment of publicly available court proceedings revealed alleged inconsistencies in witness testimony, gaps in documentary evidence, and issues relating to the handling of key exhibits used by the prosecution.
Speaking in Abuja, the National Secretary of the organisation, Priscilla Makoshi Marcus, said the group’s comments were based strictly on legal and procedural observations rather than political considerations.
She explained that the UK case appears to focus on limited allegations involving accommodation, travel expenses, logistics, and school fees, which differ from broader claims previously made about Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The lawyers also raised questions about how evidence was managed during investigations, alleging that certain financial records, including reimbursement documents and invoices reportedly seized in Abuja in 2015, were not included in the court’s evidential materials.
They further pointed to reported discrepancies in the number of seized exhibits, claiming that while initial records showed two bags of items, a third bag later appeared during the review process.
According to the group, the prosecution is still required under the UK Bribery Act 2010 to prove corrupt intent, unlawful advantage, and direct linkage to official conduct beyond reasonable doubt.
Marcus stressed that the organisation’s position is that justice must remain strictly evidence-based, proportionate, and free from public sentiment or sensational interpretation.
