January 28, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Tuesday, faced bribery charges in a London court, as British prosecutors alleged she enjoyed luxury benefits, including £100,000 in cash, while in office.
THEWILL reports that the 65-year-old, is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court over multiple counts of bribery allegedly committed between 2011 and 2015 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. She is standing trial alongside her brother, Doye Agama, and Olatimbo Ayinde, both of whom face bribery-related charges. Prosecutors said all three defendants had British addresses at the time of the alleged offences.
Prosecutors told the court that individuals seeking lucrative oil and gas contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries allegedly provided her with “significant financial and other advantages”, which they said were incompatible with her public duties.
The alleged inducements, according to the prosecution, included chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights to Nigeria, refurbishment works and staff costs at several London properties, in addition to the £100,000 cash payment. Other counts also cite school fees for her son and luxury items from high-end brands such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton.
The prosecution said the benefits were linked to individuals associated with Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups, companies that reportedly secured oil contracts with NNPC entities during her tenure.
Alison-Madueke, who was arrested in London in October 2015, has been on bail since then and was formally charged in 2023. She has denied all the allegations.
In Nigeria, courts in 2017 ordered the seizure of several properties linked to her, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed on Tuesday that it still has subsisting cases against the former minister.
“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts”, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) said when the charges were announced.
Presiding judge, Justice Justine Thornton, said the trial is expected to conclude by April 24.
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