Ijaw women caution against media trial in Diezani’s UK bribery case
Women under the aegis of the Ijaw Women Advocates for Justice (IWAJ) have urged strict adherence to due process in the ongoing trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke in the United Kingdom. The group said proceedings at Southwark Crown Court should be allowed to run without external pressure or media influence, stressing the need to respect judicial […]
Women under the aegis of the Ijaw Women Advocates for Justice (IWAJ) have urged strict adherence to due process in the ongoing trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke in the United Kingdom.
The group said proceedings at Southwark Crown Court should be allowed to run without external pressure or media influence, stressing the need to respect judicial processes.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Minister of Petroleum Resources under Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015, is facing trial over allegations linked to the award of Nigerian oil contracts.
She is being tried alongside her brother, Doye Agama, 69, and oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54. Agama has denied conspiracy to commit bribery involving his church, while Ayinde has pleaded not guilty to charges including bribing a foreign public official.
Speaking on behalf of the group, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, said IWAJ is not taking sides but advocating that justice be allowed to run its full course.
She emphasised that the right to fair hearing, due process and the presumption of innocence remain fundamental legal principles that must be upheld.
Koripamo-Agary expressed concern over what she described as growing attempts to subject individuals to trial by media while court proceedings are ongoing.
“As Ijaw women, we stand in solidarity not to shield wrongdoing, but to insist that justice must be done lawfully and without prejudice,” she said.
She cautioned against media sensationalism and selective reporting, noting that public opinion should not override judicial determination.
The group added that Alison-Madueke’s past roles in public and private sectors should neither result in automatic condemnation nor confer immunity, but must be assessed strictly within the framework of the law.