Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Nigerian oil minister and the first woman president of OPEC, has denied accusations of accepting bribes during her tenure as Nigeria’s Minister for Petroleum Resources from 2011 to 2015. On Tuesday, she appeared at London’s Southwark Crown Court for the start of her trial, where British prosecutors accused her of living a “life of luxury” funded by bribes linked to oil and gas contracts with Nigeria’s state-owned petroleum corporation.
Key Allegations:
- Bribery and Corruption: Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting significant financial or other advantages from individuals associated with the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups. These companies secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or its subsidiaries during her time as minister.
- Luxurious Gifts: The prosecution claims that she received £100,000 ($137,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights to Nigeria, and refurbishment work on multiple London properties.
- Other Bribes: Further charges allege Alison-Madueke received additional benefits, including school fees for her son, luxury goods from high-end stores like Harrods and Louis Vuitton, and more private jet flights.
Alison-Madueke’s Denial:
The former minister, who also served as OPEC president between 2014 and 2015, has denied all charges, asserting that the gifts and financial advantages were not linked to any corrupt activities. She has been involved in several legal cases worldwide, with properties in Nigeria seized in 2017 as part of ongoing investigations. The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed that Alison-Madueke still faces several legal cases in Nigeria.
Legal Background:
Alison-Madueke was arrested in London in October 2015 and has been on bail since then. In 2023, she was formally charged with accepting bribes. The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) suspects she abused her position of power in Nigeria, accepting financial rewards in return for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.
The trial continues, with the prosecution detailing her alleged involvement in international bribery and corruption.
