At the opening of her corruption trial in London on Tuesday, British prosecutors alleged that former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke accepted luxury gifts, high-end properties, and other financial benefits in exchange for influencing lucrative oil and gas contracts during her tenure.
Alison-Madueke, 65, served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan and was the first woman to preside over OPEC. She faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, charges she denies.
Prosecution’s Allegations
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy told jurors at Southwark Crown Court that Alison-Madueke “enjoyed a life of luxury in London” funded by individuals seeking business advantages with Nigerian state-owned oil companies.
Among the alleged benefits were:
- Use of multimillion-pound properties in London and its outskirts, including a mansion purchased for £3.25 million by Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko, who also covered bills, staff, and renovations.
- Over £2 million spent on luxury goods at Harrods and other high-end stores.
- Payment of private jet travel, chauffeur-driven cars, and her son’s school fees by another businessman, Benedict Peters.
Healy stated that while there was no evidence contracts were wrongfully awarded, it was improper for Alison-Madueke to accept such benefits from parties doing business with government entities she oversaw.
Co-Defendants and Related Charges
Tried alongside Alison-Madueke is oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, charged with bribing her and separately bribing Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, then-head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Also charged is Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, 69, accused of conspiracy related to bribes involving his church. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Context: Nigeria’s Oil Sector
Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, extracting about 1.53 million barrels per day. However, systemic corruption has long hindered the sector’s development and limited the broader economic benefits for the Nigerian public.
Why the Trial is in London
Healy explained that the UK trial reflects the defendants’ connections to Britain and the role of London’s financial and property markets in the alleged scheme. She emphasized the importance of prosecuting foreign bribery cases in the UK to uphold the integrity of global markets.
The trial continues as one of the most significant international corruption cases involving a former Nigerian official.
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