Nigeria, June 23 -- The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have criticised the acquittal of former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke by a United Kingdom court, describing the verdict as a setback to international anti-corruption efforts.

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria said the judgment delivered by the Southwark Crown Court in London should serve as a reminder of the need for Nigeria to strengthen its domestic accountability and anti-corruption institutions.

A UK jury last week cleared Mrs Alison-Madueke of six counts of bribery and conspiracy after deliberating for 46 hours.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, who served as...