Legal luminary, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has debunked persistent allegations of corruption against former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, asserting that no stolen Nigerian funds have ever been traced to her by UK authorities.

In a statement released on Sunday titled, ‘There is no such thing as Diezani Loot,’ Ozekhome stated, “The immediate past Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, confirmed to her lawyers that no funds from the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria have been found ever stolen by her.”

He said that the former minister, who has been under investigation by UK authorities since October 2015, has not been charged with misappropriating public funds despite nearly a decade of scrutiny.

According to Ozekhome, Alison-Madueke’s prolonged ordeal stems from baseless allegations, unverified narratives, and public vilification rather than concrete evidence.

“DAM (Diezani Alison-Madueke) has continued to face relentless defamation and misinformation. Her name is routinely linked to allegations and properties, like the recent case of the ‘Galactica Yacht,’ which she neither owned nor ever set eyes on,” he said.

Ozekhome referenced court rulings to support his client’s case, particularly a decision by the Federal High Court, Abuja, which cleared parties linked to a Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) of wrongdoing.

“Let us be very clear about this: the issues of non-payment of the cash-calls that subsequently arose in the Atlantic Energy SAAs had nothing whatsoever to do with the initial contract award which followed due process and was properly made.

“Those issues arose as a direct result of the manner of operational implementation and supervision and had nothing whatsoever to do with DAM. She was never involved in any way or manner.

“As a matter of fact in April 2014, as soon as she was brought to her attention by an external multinational head that there were some issues regarding the Atlantic Energy SAAs, she immediately took strong and direct action by promptly alerting Mr. President, the Permanent Secretary (PS), of MPR and the GMD-NNPC, in writing, and directed that an immediate two-week investigation be carried out.

“Following the resulting investigative report, DAM again directed in writing to the PS, MPR and the GMD-NNPC, with Mr. President’s knowledge and approval, that a process for the recovery of the unpaid cash-call be immediately put in place,” he said.

He noted that the yacht in question was reportedly forfeited by businessman Kola Aluko, who had valid contracts with the NNPC.

The lawyer emphasised that Alison-Madueke’s role as minister was limited to endorsing contracts already vetted by the NNPC, adding, “She merely followed due process as required by her statutory duties.”

Ozekhome also shed light on the former minister’s health struggles, revealing that she underwent chemotherapy for cancer shortly before being detained in the UK.

“Despite battling for her life and surviving on goodwill from friends and family, she has faced unrelenting public scrutiny and baseless accusations,” he lamented.

PUNCH

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent Nigeria and his principal, President Bola Tinubu at the 2025 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, scheduled for Davos, Switzerland.

A statement by the Presidency on Sunday noted that the Vice President will join other world leaders, top business executives and representatives of development partners at the meeting to discuss the state of the world economy with the view to improving its conditions.

While in Davos, Shettima will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders as well as participate in workshops and forums slated for the annual gathering.

Among events slated for the VP include, a workshop entitled ‘Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets’, organised by the African Development Bank in collaboration with the World Economic Forum to boost the flow of capital into Africa’s frontier markets, to scale solutions that build a prosperous, inclusive and resilient continent.

It is slated for the Congress Centre in Jakobshorn.

Top on the agenda will be an announcement of the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing, HRI, Roadmap for Africa, in partnership with the African Development Bank, AfDB, and foster partnerships between public and private sector leaders interested in mobilizing investment in Africa’s frontier markets, among others.

The statement added that the Vice President will attend a dinner for heads of state, government and international organizations, as well as Annual Meeting 2025 Crystal Awardees, the International Business Council and Strategic Partners slated for Kurpark Village, Eiger.

The number two citizen of Nigeria will also co-chair a forum on ‘Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa’ slated for the Pischa Congress Centre.

The Presidency explained that the session will provide a dynamic platform for forward-thinking dialogue on digital trade and the crucial role of the private sector in advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol adopted by the AU heads of state/government in January 2024.

Shettima will attend, as a panelist, a Stakeholder Dialogue entitled, ‘Global Risks 2025’.

The Global Risks Report highlights an increasingly volatile global landscape, marked by accelerating geopolitical, technological and environmental challenges. The event is slated for the Aspen 2 Congress Centre in Davos.

He will be accompanied by top government functionaries including Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and Executive Secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, Aisha Rimi, and will return to Abuja at the end of his engagements in Davos.

President-elect Donald Trump has proposed that the United States should get a 50 percent ownership of TikTok.

Trump made the proposal just less than 24 hours to his inauguration as the 47th President of the US.

The suggestion is coming just hours after the ban on TikTok came into effect in the country.

It was reported that the Supreme Court in the US had ruled that a controversial ban on TikTok may take effect on Sunday.

The apex court rejected an appeal from the popular app’s owners that claimed the ban violated the First Amendment.

However, Trump took to his Truth Social on Sunday to announce that he will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect.

According to him, this is to allow the parties to make a deal to protect US national security.

He said: “I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to stay up. Without U.S. approval, there is no Tik Tok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.

“Therefore, my initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose.”