Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, says UK authorities ruined her reputation and integrity through a prolonged investigation that ended with her acquittal on bribery charges.

Alison-Madueke made the remarks in an interview with the BBC on Friday, two days after a Southwark Crown Court cleared her of five counts of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery.

She criticised the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), saying the 13-year investigation could have been handled differently.

“I’ve not been allowed to travel. I’ve not been allowed to work. They destroyed my reputation and my integrity,” she said.

Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015 and was the first woman to serve as President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

She was arrested in the United Kingdom in 2015 but was not formally charged until 2023.

Prosecutors had alleged that she received bribes from oil businessmen awarded government contracts, including about £2 million worth of luxury goods from Harrods, chauffeur-driven vehicles and the use of properties in London and Buckinghamshire.

Following the trial, the court found her not guilty on all five charges.