Aziz Rahman discusses lessons from major NCA bribery prosecution

Rahman Ravelli’s Aziz Rahman has spoken to Law360 about the investigation and prosecution of a major international bribery case that concluded with not guilty verdicts for all three defendants.

The case involved former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, her brother Doye Agama and business executive Olatimbo Ayinde. All three were acquitted following a trial at Southwark Crown Court that lasted almost six months.

Rahman Ravelli represented Ms Ayinde, who faced two charges under the Bribery Act 2010.

Speaking to Law360, Aziz discussed the importance of investigators pursuing all reasonable lines of inquiry, including evidence that may support the defence case.

Ms Ayinde’s defence was that she had worked with the Nigerian authorities to expose corruption. Evidence was presented during the trial from senior Nigerian law enforcement personnel in support of her account.

Aziz also highlighted the prosecution’s acknowledgement that there was no evidence that any contract had been secured improperly.

He said the case demonstrated the need for complex cross-border investigations to examine evidence from all relevant jurisdictions and to engage fully with the case advanced by the defence.

The Law360 article, The Flaws That Sank the NCA’s Alison-Madueke Bribery Case, examines the wider issues raised by the prosecution and includes commentary from the defence lawyers involved.

Read the full article here.

Featured at: Law360