British prosecutors have accused Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, of spending £140,000 on luxury furniture and decorative art in a single day.
Alison-Madueke is currently facing trial alongside Olatimbo
Ayinde, an oil executive; and Doye Agama, her brother; on a five-count charge
bordering on accepting bribes. They pleaded not guilty.
According to Channels Television, the trial continued at the
Southwark Crown Court in London, United Kingdom (UK), on Monday.
British prosecutors tendered evidence on how the former
minister engaged in extravagant spending at an antiques store in London.
The prosecutors told the court that the ex-minister spent
£140,000 in a single day on high-end furniture, bespoke lighting and decorative
art, allegedly paid for through intermediaries.
Channels Television reported that the gallery of the court
brimmed with supporters from the Ijaw community in Nigeria, who travelled to
London for the trial.
PREVIOUS COURT HEARING
During the court proceedings on January 27, prosecutors told
the court that the former minister accepted bribes in the form of luxury goods
and use of high-level properties from industry figures.
Alexandra Healy, a prosecutor, had told the jurors that the
former minister “enjoyed a life of luxury in London”, which was provided by
those interested in oil contracts in Nigeria.
On January 29, Jonathan Laidlaw, counsel to Alison-Madueke,
told the court that his client had no real influence on award of oil contracts
during her stint in office.
Laidlaw had said Alison-Madueke was just a “rubber stamp”
for official recommendation.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com