Ex-Minister, Deziani Laments, Queries Media Conviction Without Trial

Mrs. Deziani Allison-Madueke

FORMER Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reacted to the report in the media which reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has seized Asokoro mansion of the former minister alongside jewelries and other valuables stating that it was calculated to bring her reputation to opprobrium.

Madueke lamented that the manner the said possessions were copiously presented was indicative of selfish interest aimed at giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it wondering if possessing properties constitutes a crime in the country, and therefore concluded that it was an attempt to portray her as a common criminal.

However, Deziani added that she would leave her detractors to posterity, and their conscience and God.

“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?

“Mrs. Alison-Madueke, for posterity, published her academic and professional profile, from her days as a student of architecture in England to being appointed Minister for Petroleum Resources in April 2010.

“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.

“This 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.

“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”, she said.