More accusations have been levelled against Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, who is facing a high-profile bribery trial in London, United Kingdom.
According to British prosecutors, founders of energy
companies who had lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum
Company Limited (NNPC), paid the running costs of the former minister’s UK
property.
They were also responsible for paying the salaries of her
domestic staff which included a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window
cleaner.
Alison-Madueke is facing trial on a five-count charge
bordering on accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods and use of highbrow
properties owned by industry figures.
Prosecutors alleged that she also had a high fashion taste.
The court heard how the defendant had her own personal
shopper at Harrods, using the payment cards of Kolawole Aluko and the debit
card of his company, Tenka Limited.
Aluko is a petroleum and aviation mogul who was part of a
constellation of Nigerian oil executives, state governors, cabinet ministers,
military officials, and tribal chiefs mentioned in the Panama Papers leak.
He was once reportedly probed for allegedly helping to
smuggle millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks to Alison-Madueke.
Prosecutors noted that a personal shopper at Harrods status
is only available as rewards to members who must spend over £10,000 a year.
Alison-Madueke reportedly splurged over £2 million on a
luxury department store on Brompton Road in London.
The ex-minister; Olatimbo Ayinde, an oil executive; and Doye
Agama, her brother are listed as defendants.
They have pleaded not guilty.
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