The long-awaited corruption trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, formally commenced today at Southwark Crown Court in London.
The 65-year-old, who served as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015 and became the first female president of OPEC, faces six charges: five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Prosecutors from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) allege that between 2011 and 2015, Alison-Madueke accepted “financial or other advantages” from individuals connected to two energy groups in exchange for awarding multi-million-pound oil contracts.
These alleged bribes reportedly included:
Refurbishment works, staff costs, and use of several London properties
Furniture and chauffeur-driven cars
A private jet flight to Nigeria
£100,000 ($137,000) in cash
Payment of school fees for her son
Luxury goods from high-end retailers such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton
Additional private jet flights
The NCA has previously stated that it suspects Alison-Madueke “abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” resulting in “improper performance” of her official duties.
Alison-Madueke, who has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015, has consistently denied all the charges.
The trial follows preliminary proceedings last week at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, which involved technical matters and jury selection. It is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.
Two other individuals, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also being prosecuted on related bribery charges in connection with the case.
The proceedings tie into broader international asset recovery efforts. In 2023, the NCA shared evidence with US authorities, leading to the forfeiture of assets worth $53.1 million allegedly linked to Alison-Madueke’s corruption, including luxury properties in California and New York, as well as the 65-metre superyacht Galactica Star.
No immediate developments or opening statements from the trial were detailed in initial reports, but the case continues to draw significant attention due to its implications for high-level corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The trial is ongoing, with further proceedings expected in the coming weeks.
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