Traditional rulers from the Atissa Clan in Bayelsa State have publicly expressed support for former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, urging authorities to ensure fairness and adherence to the rule of law in investigations that have spanned more than a decade.
The monarchs, operating under the banner of the Concerned Traditional Rulers of Atissa Clan, made their position known during a media briefing in Yenagoa. They described the prolonged investigations as a case of delayed justice and cautioned against what they termed sustained public vilification without judicial conclusion.
Speaking on behalf of the group, HRH Ovie Omeleh, Paramount Ruler of Yenaka, noted that Alison-Madueke has been under investigation in the United Kingdom and elsewhere for over ten years without securing a conviction in any court, either domestically or internationally.
According to the royal fathers, the extended duration of the probe without a definitive judicial outcome raises concerns about fairness and due process. They argued that justice must not only be pursued but concluded within a reasonable timeframe consistent with legal standards.
The group called for what it described as a “fair and orderly conclusion” to the matter, stressing that prolonged investigations without resolution could undermine confidence in the justice system. They maintained that no court of competent jurisdiction has convicted the former minister of any criminal offence.
Describing Alison-Madueke as a prominent daughter of the Atissa Kingdom and a member of its royal lineage, the traditional rulers urged that any final determination reflect both legal principles and her past service to the nation.
They reaffirmed their continued solidarity with her, stating that while the Atissa people remain patient, they equally expect justice to be transparent, impartial, and grounded strictly in the rule of law.
