Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke has broken her silence on a report by Al Jazeera on Monday which claimed a property in Abuja worth $18 million had been seized from her. The report also claimed Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered jewelry worth $2 million from the building. In a reaction to the report signed by Diezani herself and made exclusively available to SIGNAL on Monday, Diezani berated the EFCC and Al Jazeera describing the report as representing “everything ridiculous and despicable about professional media practice and global best practices in the war against corruption.”

Here is the full text of her statement:

My attention has been drawn to a report by Al Jazeera, which was released on Monday as a testament to the effectiveness of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its war against corruption.

In the video report, which has been widely circulated in the social media, there are claims about me owning a property in Abuja allegedly worth $18 million. The report, which represents everything ridiculous and despicable about professional media practice and global best practices in the war against corruption, is the latest attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Clips of jewelry allegedly worth over $2 million were also copiously displayed as if to feed the cravings of an audience gratified with the notion that every wealthy Nigerian is corrupt.

This will not be the first time calculated attempts have been made to demonise and damage my reputation in the public space. Many times, my detractors have gotten away with these irresponsible smear campaigns because they have become accustomed to my characteristic approach of silence in the face of these callous attacks.

The latest in the string of propaganda attacks launched against my person since I left government as Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister is this Al Jazeera report, which without any court conviction anywhere in the world attempts to dress Diezani Alison Madueke in the garb of a common criminal. This, to say the least, is the height of journalistic brigandage and a sheer mockery of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war before the eyes of the world who are watching and asking if the war against corruption is a circus show where suspects are prosecuted and sentenced on the pages of newspapers and video blogs without anything as remotely in the semblance of a trial in the courts of law.

When did it become a crime to own a property in Nigeria? When did it become a crime for a woman of my status to have in her possession, jewelry? Jewelry, which women all across the world, including the woman selling tomatoes in Bodija market have in abundance in their closets? In which court of law, anywhere in the world was I prosecuted by the EFCC and found guilty of corruption?

With all sense of modesty, I say this only for posterity and for the records. I have strived within my means and the blessings of God to live a decent and accomplished life. I studied architecture in England and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Howard University, United States of America in 1992. When I returned to Nigeria that same year, I joined Shell Petroleum Development Corporation. In 2002, I obtained an MBA at Cambridge University, United Kingdom. In April 2006, I was appointed by Shell as the company’s first female Executive Director in Nigeria. In July 2007, I was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as Minister of Transport. The next year in December 2008 I became Minister of Mines and Steel Development. In April 2010, I was appointed as Minister for Petroleum Resources and served in that capacity till May 2015. During this period as Petroleum Minister, I had the honour of serving Nigeria and representing her in the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) where I was elected first female President. All through my career, I have strived to maintain a record of hard work, integrity and excellence, giving my best to society, because my parents raised me in the consciousness that a man or woman’s greatness is defined not by the amount of wealth they have acquired but the impact of their service to God and humanity.

Coming at such a critical time in my life when I am battling cancer, this poorly executed propaganda bares on its face like tribal marks, a clearly malicious attempt to victimize an innocent woman in what appears an exaggerated plot to validate and give credibility to the anti-corruption crusade under Nigeria’s new regime. People who are battling cancer or those who have lost their loved ones to this medical condition understand what I am going through at this time. This is what makes me ponder at the cold-heartedness of those who will go any length to defame and destroy in the name of propaganda. What happened to our shared humanity?

I have absolute regard for the law and believe that people who have breached the laws that govern societies should be made to face the wrath of the law. But in a civilized society, a responsible government owes its citizens absolute commitment to the principles of rule of law, equity, fairness and justice. I have been wrongfully and maliciously maligned and those behind this reckless action know it.

I leave them to posterity, their conscience and above all the Almighty God who is the final judge of all.

Diezani Alison-Madueke

13/06/2016

http://www.signalng.com/breaking-market-women-bodija-jewelry-diezani-reacts-aljazeera-report/

The market women in Bodija market(Ibadan) sweat for those things they wear. They dont have corruption charges on their backs, they were not oil ministers when oil sold for the highest and money started growing wings.

Do not insult Ibadan women, they might sound/look razz but they have honor and pride in not having their names smeared in thievery.

Madam, they wear gold yes, but they also have honor.

Diezani am with you don't mind them including mynd44.
Mynd44 your comment is preposterous and unbecoming...her ladyship diezani hasn't been put on trial and presumed innocent until a court of competent jurisdiction convicts her!... Maybe you don't know that Diezani was a Shell staff for over a decade and rose to become a director of that multinational corporation.... Or you are ignorant of the fact that she married a former military chieftain who's also a former minister under obj... Not done do you know she has always had a privileged background? Or maybe you forgot you bought fuel @ 87 naira under her watch!

Oya now!!Lets go there

Mr mynd44, u are jst one of those apc's zombies I'm expecting more ban from u, make it last for months this time pls

Mynd44:
The market women in Bodija market(Ibadan) sweat for those things they wear. They dont have corruption charges on their backs, they were not oil ministers when oil sold for the highest and money started growing wings.

Do not insult Ibadan women, they might sound/look razz but they have honor and pride in not having their names smeared in thievery.

Madam, they wear gold yes, but they also have honor.

Mynd44:
The market women in Bodija market(Ibadan) sweat for those things they wear. They dont have corruption charges on their backs, they were not oil ministers when oil sold for the highest and money started growing wings.

Do not insult Ibadan women, they might sound/look razz but they have honor and pride in not having their names smeared in thievery.

Madam, they wear gold yes, but they also have honor.

If you parade a quarter of her credential, you will not be where you are.

How we sure say na mama Diezani nei get diz statement. Na so una go dey carry fake mouthaction from person wen no get am. But, I no fit lie, EFCC no get sense at all. How you go dey carry woman gold ring and chain, con dey prize am for Television. Dat one na very yeye yeye lie make dem do deir work kpata kpata before they go dey form tolongo 4 our television. All Diz Ayangba government pikin just no get sense, atall.

I didn't see anything from her CV to earn her $18 million house and $2 million jewelry. Just playing towards cancer pity.

Madam go to court and sue for deformation of your person. Putting this piece does not exonerate you from the allegation.

papayeye:
How we sure say na mama Diezani nei get diz statement. Na so una go dey carry fake mouthaction from person wen no get am. But, I no fit lie, EFCC no get sense at all. How you go dey carry woman gold ring and chain, con dey prize am for Television. Dat one na very yeye yeye lie make dem do deir work kpata kpata before they go dey form tolongo 4 our television. All Diz Ayangba government pikin just no get sense, atall.

Tell mynd44 to stop jubilating

amaechi1:
Madam go to court and sue for deformation of your person. Putting this piece does not exonerate you from the allegation.

Let efcc secure a conviction. He who alleges must prove in the court of law!

kITATITA:
I didn't see anything from her CV to earn her $18 million house and $2 million jewelry. Just playing towards cancer pity.

I don't care about that. Is it groundnut money?

Mynd44:
The market women in Bodija market(Ibadan) sweat for those things they wear. They dont have corruption charges on their backs, they were not oil ministers when oil sold for the highest and money started growing wings.

Do not insult Ibadan women, they might sound/look razz but they have honor and pride in not having their names smeared in thievery.

Madam, they wear gold yes, but they also have honor.

Did you read of the places she has worked and how many years. Who had ever occupied those positions and cannot afford those things?

What is your definition of hard work?

temitemi1:
Mr mynd44, u are jst one of those apc's zombies I'm expecting more ban from u, make it last for months this time pls

IS Fayose still owing you salaries? You better request for it.

Word

Mynd44:
The market women in Bodija market(Ibadan) sweat for those things they wear. They dont have corruption charges on their backs, they were not oil ministers when oil sold for the highest and money started growing wings.

Do not insult Ibadan women, they might sound/look razz but they have honor and pride in not having their names smeared in thievery.

Madam, they wear gold yes, but they also have honor.

you have written well jare! don't mind the frustrated wailers.

Mynd44:
The market women in Bodija market(Ibadan) sweat for those things they wear. They dont have corruption charges on their backs, they were not oil ministers when oil sold for the highest and money started growing wings.

Do not insult Ibadan women, they might sound/look razz but they have honor and pride in not having their names smeared in thievery.

Madam, they wear gold yes, but they also have honor.

And she didn't sweat for what she has ? And when does having someone's name on corruption charges makes him/her guilty ? Your are both the prosecutor and the judge and who told you she doesn't have honor ? If she doesn't have honor would she have being recognize even at international level ?

You better stick to the mod work seun gave you.
Nonsense

Word!!!
Just try and pay us a visit in naija

I wonder why the Federal Government is disturbing this lady but choose to associate with corrupt individuals like Tinubu, Fashola, IBB, Abacha's family, Abdusalami, Atiku, Amechi etc.


A woman who's been a Minister up to 3 times and has also held a lot of positions in both Private and Public oil sector nationally and internationally is not expected to be poor.


Exaggerating the worth of her properties and jewellery won't help either.

By the way when is the Federal Government going to probe the numerous criminals in APC?

Beremx:
IS Fayose still owing you salaries? You better request for it.

Berem will you please shut up!

cindybella101:

And she didn't sweat for what she has ? And when does having someone's name on corruption charges makes him/her guilty ? Your are both the prosecutor and the judge and who told you she doesn't have honor ? If she doesn't have honor would she have being recognize even at international level ?

You better stick to the mod work seun gave you.
Nonsense

Brideofdracula see main mod bashing

menstrualpad:

Berem will you please shut up!

who's this troll to tell me to shut up? Are you the one paying for my subscription?

Beremx:
who's this troll to tell me to shut up? Are you the one paying for my subscription?

Grabs my offor.... Berem shut up finally and forever!

Mynd44:
The market women in Bodija market(Ibadan) sweat for those things they wear. They dont have corruption charges on their backs, they were not oil ministers when oil sold for the highest and money started growing wings.

Do not insult Ibadan women, they might sound/look razz but they have honor and pride in not having their names smeared in thievery.

Madam, they wear gold yes, but they also have honor.

Ya head dey dia!!!

Well I might not be a fan of this woman, but let's for once accord the due respect to this hardworking woman. I believe so much that her hardwork earned her the national call to serve under the Yardua's government. She did what most previous ministers of petroleum couldn't achieve by striking deals amongst both the local and international players to ensure the smooth sales of our crude and stability of refined products at a regulated price. The petrol price was so stable and available throughout her reign. Against all odds I've never been a fan of hers but i'm beginning to admire her strong character while in office and thereafter.

amaechi1:
Madam go to court and sue for deformation of your person. Putting this piece does not exonerate you from the allegation.

Which of the courts? is it the one under Buhari kits or anus? abegiiii

menstrualpad:

Grabs my offor.... Berem shut up finally and forever!

mtscheeew!


@post, so Al Jazeera has finally made Dieziani to speak? Waiting for CNN to expose her corruption profile.

modath:


Ya head dey dia!!!

You're just a troll incapable of reasoning

Beremx:
mtscheeew!


@post, so Al Jazeera has finally made Dieziani to speak? Waiting for CNN to expose her corruption profile.

You did this with your berem profile and shame pushed you to deactivate.... How's the thirty shekels you received from the jihadists' Judas Iscariot

Mynd44:
The market women in Bodija market(Ibadan) sweat for those things they wear. They dont have corruption charges on their backs, they were not oil ministers when oil sold for the highest and money started growing wings.

Do not insult Ibadan women, they might sound/look razz but they have honor and pride in not having their names smeared in thievery.

Madam, they wear gold yes, but they also have honor.

Zombie, which competent court has convicted her?

shift15:


If you parade a quarter of her credential, you will not be where you are.

A mere moderator on nairaland mynd44 is.