The jury in the alleged bribery trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum resources in Nigeria, on Monday, commenced deliberations in the case.
After deliberations, the jury will deliver a final verdict,
according to Reuters.
The ex-minister is standing trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde,
an oil executive; and Doye Agama, her brother; on a five-count charge bordering
on acceptance of bribes.
They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
British prosecutors had accused Alison-Madueke of accepting
bribes in the form of luxury goods from industry figures.
The prosecutors had said Alison-Madueke was given high-end
properties by people who believed that she would use her influence to favour
them in oil contracts.
The former minister and her counsel had denied all the
allegations.
During proceedings last Tuesday, Jonathan Laidlaw, the
defendant’s counsel, and Alexandra Healy, the lead prosecutor, rendered their
closing arguments.
Laidlaw accused UK prosecutors of failing to prosecute the
alleged bribe givers, relying on questionable evidence, and inability to
provide some evidence necessary for the case.
The lead counsel argued that while Alison-Madueke was
charged, the wealthy oil businessmen alleged to have paid bribes to her were
never charged.
Laidlaw said officials of the UK’s National Crime Agency
were absent during the raid on the Abuja residence of the former minister in
October 2015.
The counsel said none of the items allegedly recovered
during the operation were photographed in their original locations, adding that
NCA does not even possess the original materials now being relied upon in
court.
In his closing submission, Healy, the lead prosecutor,
reiterated allegations that some oil executives provided improper benefits to
Alison-Madueke while their companies benefited from lucrative state contracts
during her tenure as petroleum minister.
Healy told the jury that it was improper for a sitting
minister to have her lifestyle funded by individuals doing business with the
Nigerian state.
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