By The Metro 
A London jury has found former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, not guilty of six bribery charges following her trial in the United Kingdom.
Alison-Madueke, who served as petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was accused of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery, allegations she denied.
The prosecution had alleged that she benefited from a luxury lifestyle in London through support provided by individuals in the oil and gas industry who were seeking access to lucrative contracts in Nigeria.
During the trial, the former minister maintained that she never received any bribes and had no influence over the awarding of government contracts.
After deliberating for more than 46 hours, the jury at Southwark Crown Court cleared Alison-Madueke of all six charges brought against her.
The case followed a lengthy investigation by British authorities into allegations involving the former minister, which began more than a decade ago.
Alison-Madueke was tried alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who faced allegations of bribery involving the former minister and a separate charge relating to bribery of a foreign public official.
Her brother, Doye Agama, 69, also faced a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery connected to payments allegedly made to his church.
Ayinde and Agama both denied the allegations and were also acquitted by the jury.