Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke pleaded not guilty on Thursday to five counts of accepting bribes and one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery at her ongoing corruption trial in London's Southwark Crown Court.
The trial, which began on January 26, 2026, and is expected to last about 12 weeks, centers on allegations that Alison-Madueke, who served as minister from 2010 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan, accepted lavish gifts and the use of high-end properties from oil and gas industry figures in exchange for influencing the award of lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Prosecutors allege that the 65-year-old, who also served briefly as OPEC president, "enjoyed a life of luxury" in London, including access to expensive homes, household staff such as a housekeeper, nanny, gardener, and window cleaner, and significant spending reportedly over £2 million (approximately N4 billion) at Harrods funded by energy executives seeking favorable deals.
Her defense lawyer, Jonathan Laidlaw, told the jury that Alison-Madueke had no real influence over contract awards and was merely a "rubber stamp" who approved official recommendations.
He argued that Nigerian ministers are prohibited from holding foreign bank accounts, so purchases and expenses on her behalf were handled accordingly.
Laidlaw disputed the extent of properties and goods provided, asserting that all personal expenses were reimbursed by Alison-Madueke from Nigeria, while those tied to official business were covered from government funds.
He maintained that she received no personal financial advantage.The case also involves co-defendants: oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of bribing Alison-Madueke and one count of bribing a foreign public official, and her brother Doye Agama, 69, who denies conspiracy to commit bribery related to his church (appearing via video link for medical reasons).
The trial follows years of investigations, with Alison-Madueke first arrested in London in 2015 during cancer treatment and formally charged in 2023.
Prosecutors emphasize that bribery undermines global markets and public trust, highlighting Nigeria's oil wealth contrasted with widespread poverty.
The case continues at Southwark Crown Court before Justice Thornton.
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