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Nigerian oil governance, Contracts: ‘I was a rubber stamp, Diezani tells UK Court
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Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke told a UK court that her role in approving oil contracts was largely routine, stating that major decisions were already taken before documents reached her desk.
Speaking at Southwark Crown Court in London, she explained that the structure of Nigeria’s oil sector meant she had limited direct control, as key operations were handled by the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“The system was already in motion before files came to me,” she said, adding that the size and complexity of the industry made it difficult for a minister to oversee everything directly.
She said she rarely declined contract approvals because they had already passed through detailed technical and regulatory checks.
“I was, in many instances, a rubber stamp in the process,” she said.
Diezani also recounted a 2014 incident in which she discovered a questionable crude oil deal allegedly linked to businessman Igho Sanomi. She said the matter came to light following a whistleblower report, prompting her to cancel the arrangement.
However, she told the court that powerful individuals opposed her decision and escalated complaints to then President Goodluck Jonathan.
On allegations that $20 billion in oil revenue went missing, she disagreed with former Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi, insisting the reports were inaccurate.
“There were no missing funds as widely reported,” she said, explaining that audits and legislative reviews later showed the money was tied to subsidy payments and operational costs.
She acknowledged serious challenges in the fuel subsidy system, including multiple claims by some marketers, but said reforms were introduced to reduce fraud.
According to her, these efforts came with risks. She said she faced security threats, including the kidnapping of family members, which she linked to her attempts to challenge powerful interests in the sector.
She also said politicians and business figures frequently pressured her office for preferential treatment in oil allocations.
“I declined requests that did not follow due process,” she said.
Addressing questions about her personal finances, Diezani said she used Nigerian bank cards even during foreign trips, in line with rules preventing public officials from holding foreign accounts.
She added that the cards sometimes failed abroad, forcing others to temporarily cover expenses.
The court also examined records of her official trips between 2011 and 2015.
She said she usually travelled with about 30 officials, including aides, security personnel, and protocol staff.
“All movements were documented and archived in ministry records,” she said, noting that both commercial and chartered flights were used depending on official requirements.
Despite the allegations against her, Diezani insisted her time in office focused on increasing local participation in the oil sector and improving transparency, saying she has been unfairly portrayed.
She is currently on trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agama on five counts related to bribery.
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing in London.
The Kano State Fire Service has saved 16 people after a residential building collapsed in the Dan Dishe area of Kwanar Yashi, Fagge Local Government Area.
Several others are still feared trapped under the rubble, according to reports from the scene.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday when the structure, measuring about 20 by 30 feet, suddenly collapsed.
Spokesperson of the Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the development in a statement, saying the agency received a distress call at about 4:32 a.m.
“The Kano State Fire Service wishes to inform the general public that at about 4:32 a.m. today, Saturday, 8 August 2026, the Service’s Emergency Response Unit received an emergency call from one of our staff, Aminu Sani Warure, reporting the collapse of a building at Dan Dishe, Kwanar Yashi, Fagge Local Government Area,” Abdullahi said.
“Upon receiving the report, men of the Service from the Headquarters were immediately mobilized to the scene. On arrival, they discovered that a residential building of about 20 by 30 feet had collapsed.”
He said rescue teams pulled 16 people from the debris, including three children who were found unconscious.
The children were identified as Affan Yusuf, five; Hassana Yusuf, seven; and Ummulkursum Yusuf, nine months.
Abdullahi said efforts were ongoing to locate and rescue other victims who may still be trapped.
“The rescue team recovered 16 people from the rubble. Operations are still ongoing as more people are feared trapped,” he added.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, while investigations have commenced.
“The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained. An investigation is ongoing,” Abdullahi stated.
He urged residents to take safety precautions, especially during the rainy season.
“The Kano State Fire Service urges members of the public to observe all necessary safety precautions, particularly during the rainy season, to prevent similar incidents,” he said.
The latest incident comes less than a month after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Nasarawa Local Government Area, killing one person and leaving three others injured.
News
Zamfara PDP guber candidate, Gusau celebrates Umar Nature on his birthday, says he’s a visionary team player, bridge builder
The Governorship candidate of Zamfara Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Hon Ibrahim Shehu Gusau celebrates Peoples Democratic Party PDP Organizing Secretary, Hon Umar Bature on his birth anniversary describing him as a bridge builder and a visionary team player.
This was contained in a congratulatory message personally signed by Hon Gusau on Sunday.
In the message, he said: With profound gratitude to Allah (SWT), I respectfully use this medium to felicitate with you on your Birthday Anniversary.
“The joy of being born is to grow old and live a worthy, successful, and impactful life.
“As a friend, brother, and colleague, I am particularly grateful to Almighty Allah that in all your life odysseys, you have not only survived different and varied vicissitudes – soaring and towering above every twist and turns – but also consistently, emerging victorious.
“Worthy of note is that, you have always exhibited integrity, transparency, objectivity, and sincerity in every assignment and functions at all levels.
“Indeed, one is even more grateful to Allah that, over the years in your military career, political endeavours, and public life, you have continually emerged as a quintessential technocrat, visionary team-player, and responsive bridge-builder.
“On the occasion of your Birthday Anniversary, I pray that Allah will endow you with good health, sound mind, renewed strength, and long life to enjoy the fruits of your labour to humanity.
Congratulations, once again!!!
News
We’re aware of your coded meetings with Lulu-Briggs, 𝐏𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧, CRP uncovers ex-MD of NDDC, Nunieh
…declares no backdoor meeting can stop Rainbow Coalition
Concerned Rivers People, CRP has unearthed the undercover of ex-Managing Director of NDDC, Mrs Joy Nunieh as she holds clandestine meetings with Gabriel Pidomson and Dumo Lulu-Briggs.
This was contained in a statement signed by CRP’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Sunny Nwagbo on Sunday where he declared that these clandestine meetings and backdoor politics will not stop the will of the people, their plans will fall like a pack of cards.
In the statement it was further stressed that “Information at our disposal confirms that a meeting was held at the residence of 𝐌𝐫𝐬. 𝐉𝐨𝐲 𝐍𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐡, former Managing Director of NDDC, between 𝐌𝐫. 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐨 𝐋𝐮𝐥𝐮-𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐬 to strategize against the 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
“We are also aware that another meeting is to hold at the 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐲𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬.
“Let it be known, the 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲. These clandestine meetings and backdoor politics will not stop the will of the people, their plans will totally fail.
“Also let us quickly send a reminder to Nunieh that she must be in a hurry to have forgotten so soon how she was saved from the pangs of those who almost extinguished her from existence while in office.
” It’s sad that human memory is so short when it comes to political matters, if Nunieh has forgotten we will soon uncover details and let posterity pass a verdict, the statement added.
16 rescued, several feared trapped as residential building collapses in Kano
Zamfara PDP guber candidate, Gusau celebrates Umar Nature on his birthday, says he’s a visionary team player, bridge builder
We’re aware of your coded meetings with Lulu-Briggs, 𝐏𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧, CRP uncovers ex-MD of NDDC, Nunieh
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