Come Home, Clear Your Name — Laolu Akande Tells Alison-Madueke

Former presidential media aide, Laolu Akande, has urged former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to return to Nigeria and address the corruption-related allegations still pending against her.

Akande made the call on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s programme, The Morning Brief, while reacting to the recent acquittal of Alison-Madueke by a United Kingdom court.

The former presidential spokesman described the UK court decision as a positive development but maintained that it does not resolve the legal matters the former minister faces in Nigeria.

According to him, Alison-Madueke should come back to the country and defend herself before relevant authorities, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which has continued investigations and legal proceedings involving her.

“It’s an exciting news. And she should come home and get these matters sorted. She should go through the EFCC cases against her, for which quite a significant portion of her properties have been forfeited,” Akande said.

He added that returning to Nigeria would provide the former minister an opportunity to present her case and seek resolution of the issues surrounding her.

“I think the time is now ripe for her to come and defend herself in her own country, and let’s see where the pendulum goes,” he stated.

Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015, has faced several allegations relating to financial misconduct and corruption.

The EFCC has previously secured court orders for the forfeiture of some assets linked to her, while legal proceedings involving her associates and alleged financial transactions connected to her tenure have continued.

The former minister has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained her innocence against the allegations.

Her recent acquittal by a UK court sparked renewed debate over the cases against her in Nigeria, with supporters arguing that the decision strengthens her position, while critics insist she should return to face outstanding matters before Nigerian courts.

Akande’s comments add to ongoing calls for the former minister to return home and engage with Nigerian legal institutions over the allegations surrounding her.