A PROMINENT SOUTH AFRICAN ANTI-IMMIGRATION ACTIVIST WAS REPORTEDLY TELLING A COURT THAT HE COULD NOT AFFORD LEGAL REPRESENTATION BECAUSE HE IS UNEMPLOYED.(PHOTO).

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A prominent South African anti-immigration activist has sparked widespread debate after reportedly telling a court that he could not afford legal representation because he is unemployed. According to reports, the activist told the judge, “I don’t have a lawyer because I don’t work,” a statement that quickly went viral on social media and reignited discussions around unemployment, immigration, and xenophobia in South Africa. The incident has also renewed conversations about anti-immigrant sentiment in the country. Over the years, thousands of African migrants have been affected by waves of xenophobic violence, with foreign-owned businesses looted, properties destroyed, and many families forced to flee their communities. While some South Africans argue that immigrants contribute to unemployment and crime, others contend that the nation’s economic challenges are far more complex. South Africa continues to face some of the highest unemployment rates in the world, alongside deep-rooted issu...

LONDON COURT ACQUITS FORMER NIGERIAN MINISTER DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE OF BRIBERY CHARGES. (PHOTO).


London court acquits former Nigerian minister Diezani Alison-Madueke of bribery charges


Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery charges against her following a high-profile corruption trial in the United Kingdom.


A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, June 17, found the 65-year-old not guilty on six counts, including five charges of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. Alison-Madueke had consistently denied all allegations throughout the proceedings.


Prosecutors alleged that while serving as Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Alison-Madueke received significant benefits from oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria. According to the prosecution, she was provided with what was described as “a life of luxury” in London in exchange for influence over the award of energy contracts.


However, Alison-Madueke maintained that she never accepted bribes and did not possess the authority to directly determine the allocation of government contracts. Following more than 46 hours of jury deliberations, the court returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts on all six charges.


The acquittal marks a significant setback for British authorities, whose investigation into allegations involving the former minister began more than a decade ago. Alison-Madueke also served as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), becoming the first woman to hold the position.


Two co-defendants were also cleared of charges. Oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who faced one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and another count of bribing a foreign public official, was found not guilty.


Similarly, Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, 69, who was accused of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with payments allegedly made to his church, was acquitted by the jury. The verdict concludes one of the most closely watched corruption cases involving a former senior Nigerian government official in the United Kingdom.

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