The founder and president of Ijaw Women Connect, (IWC), Rosemary John-Oduone, has described the acquittal of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke by a United Kingdom court as a victory for the Ijaw people, Nigerian women and supporters across the world who stood by her throughout the lengthy legal process.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Friday, Oduone said the verdict underscored the importance of fair hearing and justice after more than a decade of legal scrutiny.
“This victory of her being acquitted of all six charges against her is not just a victory to her alone, but a victory to a complex of Ijaw people, friends across the world that stood in solidarity for her. And I think it’s a win-win for Nigeria women because when you look at the political space. So, I think we should all appreciate the fact that the UK court has done their best,” she said.
Responding to questions about the 13 money laundering charges still pending against Alison-Madueke in Nigeria, Oduone said the former minister should first be allowed to return to the country before any conclusions are drawn about the allegations against her.
“I think she should come back first. Let’s allow her to come back first. And if EFCC has by any way alleged her, because everything up till now is being alleged, not convicted, not found guilty. So, when she comes back, and if they so feel that they will still go on with whatever investigation or processes they want to go through,” she stated.
John-Oduone expressed confidence that Alison-Madueke would be able to clear her name, arguing that she had already endured the most difficult phase of her legal challenges during the lengthy proceedings in the United Kingdom.
“I think she has held her offices very high, and I don’t think any allegation leveled against her this time will really make too much of a controversy because she will be able to prove them right that she’s not guilty. I’m very sure of that,” she maintained.
Addressing concerns about the public perception of the acquitted former minister, John-Oduone said Alison-Madueke had faced years of media scrutiny despite not being convicted by any court. She urged the public to allow due process in the matter.
“I don’t think that she has done so bad, even while she was holding these various offices I’ve mentioned. And media validation was something that could have killed her. Even up to two days ago, after her validation and acquittal from the UK court, people are still not convinced that she should have been, you know, freed from all the allegations leveled against her.
“She has always been she has always been a victim of media validation, and I think that I will plead that we should stop. Because we cannot play the the juries and also become the the the judge. So, we should be able to restrain some of these media comments we make concerning issues that are still before a court of competent jurisdiction. So, I think when she comes back, we will know that she will be freed,” she stressed.
Speaking on allegations of corruption against Alison-Madueke, John-Oduone said she would not prejudge the former minister, insisting that only the courts can determine her guilt or innocence. She urged Nigerians to allow the EFCC and other relevant agencies to complete their and let due process take its course.
“I am not the judge, and I won’t play judge over these issues. So, like I said, we will wait. We’ll allow her to come, let the EFCC do their investigation, ICPC, whatever is involved, let them do, and at the end of it, we’ll come back here to discuss the victories,” she said.
Speaking on the possibility of Alison-Madueke returning to public office, the IWC Founder said the former minister still had much to contribute to governance, citing her experience and role in the establishment of the Nigerian Content Development framework. She described Alison-Madueke as innovative and intellectually equipped to help drive development, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
“Of course, I think she should return to government because she has a lot to give. Come to think of it, she masterminded the establishment of the Nigerian Content Board. So, Diezani is full of ideas, full of innovative. So, for me, we still need a lot of her expertise in governance. She has everything intellectually to to to turn things around. And for me, especially in the oil sector where she has always been a career person. So, coming back to vie into offices of public places, I think it’s a very good thing,” she stressed.
Clarifying her position on Alison-Madueke’s acquittal, John-Oduone said she was not offering blind support but advocating for good governance, stressing that she would condemn any proven wrongdoing. She added that Nigeria’s leadership challenges require collective reform and accountability rather than personal loyalty or sentiment.
“I’m not just here to support or validate actions of women in governance or those that have held offices. But for women that are in politics or in governance that are doing very well, we give them kudos. And for anyone that has been found liable to any allegations that have been leveled against them, we also condemn, because it’s never too good to be in an in a place where you’re supposed to give service, and you’re not giving service. So, we will not just come to studios and begin to support women, no. We are advocating for good governance.
“So, it’s just for public office holders, political leaders, business persons to just come together to make the country work. We need Nigeria to work,” she added.
On who may have persecuted Diezani Alison-Madueke, John-Oduone said she could not identify any individuals, describing the case instead as political witch-hunting without providing specific names.
“Well, I wouldn’t say. I am not a politician. I have always been an advocate for good governance, women inclusion in political spaces, government stratas, and so I wouldn’t say. But I know that it was clearly a political witch-hunting, and some people wanted to use it to make political statements,” she concluded.
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