Dezieani Allison Madueke, former Nigeria’s petroleum Minister, was on Wednesday, pronounced ‘not guilty’ ​by a London jury of six bribery charges.

Madueke who was faced excessive media trial during the administration of late Muhammad Buhari over allegation money laundering amounting to billions of dollars, was charged with five counts of accepting bribes and a ​charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, which she denied.

Prosecutors ⁠alleged Alison-Madueke, 65, was given “a life of luxury” in London ​from oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria, ​which has long grappled with mismanagement and corruption.

Madueke who served as petroleum Minister between 2010 and 2015 under then-president Goodluck Jonathan, was  well the president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

She told the court that she never took any bribes and had no real ​influence over the awarding of lucrative government contracts.

After a trial at London’s Southwark ‌Crown ⁠Court, Alison-Madueke was acquitted by a jury of all six charges.

Alison-Madueke stood trial alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who was ​charged with one count of bribery relating to ​Alison-Madueke ⁠and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.

Alison-Madueke’s brother Doye Agama, 69, was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery ⁠with ​his sister relating to payments made to ​Agama’s church.

Both Ayinde and Agama denied the charges against them and were also ​acquitted by the jury.

Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has condemned in the strongest terms the abduction and subsequent death of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in bandits’ captivity, describing it as a grave violation of the right to life and personal security that demands urgent and systemic responses.

Ojukwu said the incident represents a disturbing escalation of insecurity in the country and a direct assault on the dignity and sanctity of human life.

A statement signed by the Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, quoted Ojukwu as saying the Commission received with deep sorrow the news of the General’s death, which occurred while he was held captive, despite reported efforts by the Katsina State Government and security agencies to secure his release.

He noted that every person, regardless of status or background, is entitled to the protection of the right to life, liberty, and security of person under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.

He stressed that the abduction and death of a retired senior military officer underscores the extent to which insecurity has penetrated all levels of society, leaving citizens, including highly placed individuals, vulnerable to criminal violence.

The Executive Secretary expressed concern that schools, homes, and communities are no longer safe, and that the persistent threat of banditry and kidnapping continues to erode public confidence in the state’s duty to protect.

He stated that the Commission views the killing as not only a loss to the bereaved family and Katsina State, but a national tragedy that reflects the urgent need for a coordinated and rights-based response to insecurity.

The NHRC boss said the Commission believes that the conversation around the establishment of state police deserves serious and immediate consideration as part of a broader strategy to address insecurity.

He explained that decentralizing policing could bring security closer to communities, improve response time, and enhance local intelligence gathering, provided that such structures are created with strong legal frameworks, civilian oversight, and adherence to human rights standards to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.

The Learned Silk called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation is carried out to identify and bring to justice all those responsible for the heinous act.

He emphasized that accountability is essential to upholding the rule of law and to deter further violations, and urged authorities to strengthen measures for the protection of civilians while exploring structural reforms that can improve security outcomes nationwide.

The Commission extended its condolences to the family of the late General, the Government of Katsina State, and the Nigerian people. Dr. Ojukwu affirmed that the NHRC remains committed to monitoring the situation and to advocating for policies and actions that safeguard the right to life and security for all Nigerians.

A Rwandan citizen identified as Benjamin Relasss has reportedly died in custody at the Kuje prison in Abuja, sparking allegations of medical neglect and misconduct within the facility.

According to Sahara Reports, sources alleged thatu Relasss died on Tuesday morning while awaiting trial in a financial-related case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Relasss had been in detention since 2023 after he was denied bail, reportedly on the grounds that he was not a Nigerian citizen. The sources further claimed that inmates requiring specialised medical attention outside the correctional facility often face difficulties in obtaining referrals for treatment. They alleged that some officials demand substantial sums of money before approving recommendations for treatment at external hospitals, despite the correctional centre’s purported lack of adequate medical equipment and specialist personnel to handle certain health conditions.

According to sources, the Kuje facility is short of adequate medical resources, with inmates requiring external treatment sometimes unable to access timely referrals. “Benjamin Relasss, a Rwandan citizen died inside Kuje Prison this morning (Tuesday) due to outright neglect and care by an overambitious and money mongering officer in the facility,” a source said. “The officer demands huge cash from inmates who are sick before allowing the patient to be recommended to hospitals outside because the Kuje facility lacks adequate equipment and medical specialists.”

“Today, the Rwandan citizen Benjamin Relasss is dead while awaiting trial on a financial-related case before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the source added.

Another source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that inadequate access to medical care remains a serious concern at the Kuje Correctional Centre. “Yes, the Rwandan is dead. At Kuje prison, they request money before any sick person is taken to the hospital,” the source said. “In fact, there is another inmate who is critically ill and currently at the prison clinic.

They are allegedly demanding money before writing to the Chief Judge because he has only five months left on his sentence. Because there is no money, he is still lying in the clinic.” Efforts to obtain a response from the Nigerian Correctional Service on the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the death of Relasss were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The National Spokesperson of the service, Chief Superintendent of Corrections (CSC) Jane Osuji, did not respond to phone calls or a text message sent to her.