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VENO tv: Not Yet Uhuru: Jide Omokore May Face Fresh Legal Battle as Alison-Madueke’s Trial Reveals New Details
Date: 04-03-26

By Johnson Adegboyega

Despite a February 7, 2023 judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja that discharged and acquitted oil businessman Olajide Omokore, chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited, over alleged fraud and money laundering involving about $1.6 billion in petroleum proceeds, fresh developments abroad may reopen public scrutiny around the case.
Omokore and his co-defendants were initially arraigned in 2016 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a nine-count charge relating to alleged underhand dealings tied to the Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) between his companies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
In the charge sheet, Omokore was listed as the first defendant, while Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited were the second and third defendants respectively.
The EFCC had accused Omokore of allegedly purchasing luxury houses for former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and providing cars to some NNPC staff and politicians.
However, Omokore consistently denied the allegations, insisting that his business dealings with government agencies were legitimate and complied with Nigerian laws.
Delivering judgment in the case, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba ruled that the prosecution failed to establish its claims beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the acquittal of the defendants.

Fresh Revelations From UK Trial

The matter has resurfaced following ongoing proceedings at the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom, where prosecutors presented recordings allegedly obtained from a Samsung phone seized from Alison-Madueke during her arrest in London in 2015.
According to prosecutors, the former minister allegedly received luxury benefits from businessmen seeking oil contracts from the Nigerian government.
In one recording reportedly made in April 2014, Alison-Madueke was heard confronting Omokore, expressing anger over alleged threats that information could be used against her.
She was heard saying:
“We who are managing the thing have kept quiet… while people like your wife are busy singing all over the place.”
In another part of the conversation, the former minister warned:
“I do not react well to being blackmailed… I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself.”
Another recording presented in court allegedly captured a conversation between Alison-Madueke and businessman Kolawole Aluko, where she reportedly cautioned him about his lavish lifestyle attracting attention online.
The former minister allegedly warned that intelligence agencies might begin monitoring him because of his asset acquisitions and public lifestyle.
Alison-Madueke, however, has denied five counts of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery brought against her in the UK.
Omokore’s Name Resurfaces in Related Case
Omokore’s name has also reappeared in connection with the conviction of Albert Bassey, a former Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance.
In 2019, the EFCC charged Bassey with seven counts related to the alleged receipt of six vehicles worth about ?204 million as bribes while serving in office.
Investigators claimed that one of the vehicles was allegedly provided by Omokore, who reportedly had business dealings with the Akwa Ibom State government at the time.
The Supreme Court recently affirmed the conviction and seven-year prison sentence handed to Bassey by the trial court and Court of Appeal.
Renewed Scrutiny
With Alison-Madueke’s trial ongoing in the United Kingdom and past associates being mentioned in court proceedings, analysts believe the controversy surrounding Nigeria’s oil sector dealings during the 2010–2015 period may continue to attract international attention.
Whether the latest revelations will translate into fresh legal consequences for Omokore remains uncertain.
But the former minister’s statement in one of the recordings continues to resonate:

“I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself.”

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