By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Nigeria’s Former Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Rejects Bribery Allegations in UK Trial
Nigeria’s ex-minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has firmly denied corruption allegations as her trial continues in a United Kingdom court.
Appearing before the Southwark Crown Court on Monday, the 65-year-old told the court she never requested or accepted any bribes during her time in office.
She maintained that throughout her tenure, she made conscious efforts to resist corruption, describing it as a deeply rooted issue in Nigeria’s governance history.
The former minister is facing multiple charges filed in 2023, including five counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy.
Prosecutors in the UK allege the case is tied to the awarding of lucrative oil and gas contracts between 2010 and 2015, when she served under Nigeria’s government.
Beyond her ministerial role, Alison-Madueke once held a prominent international position as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries from 2014 to 2015.
She relocated to the UK following the 2015 electoral defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Since then, she has also been linked to several corruption cases in Nigeria, many of which have not progressed due to her absence from the country.
Nigerian courts, however, have ordered the seizure of assets reportedly worth billions of naira connected to her.
UK prosecutors claim that her lifestyle in Britain was funded by Nigerian oil contractors.
According to the case, millions of pounds were spent on luxury shopping and property upgrades, including over £2 million at Harrods and approximately £4.6 million on refurbishing high-end residences in London and Buckinghamshire.
Some of these payments were allegedly made using cards connected to businessman Kolawole Aluko and his firm.
The prosecution also referenced several upscale properties, including a multi-million-pound home in Marylebone and residences near Regent’s Park.
In her testimony, Alison-Madueke dismissed the claims, stating that expenses tied to her official duties were covered and reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
She explained that a London-based logistics firm was set up to manage her official engagements due to what she described as inefficiencies within the NNPC at the time.
According to her, the company handled travel, accommodation, and transportation to enable her carry out her responsibilities effectively.
She also denied any connection to an alleged £100,000 cash delivery reportedly linked to one of her drivers.
Addressing concerns about the properties cited in the case, she told the court that some were used for official meetings, while others were either unsuitable for use or arranged without her direct involvement.
She added that her stay in a Buckinghamshire residence was influenced by her husband’s health condition, while other visits were tied to government-related activities.
On security, she stated that her role exposed her to serious risks, including kidnapping threats, noting that her position as a female minister in Nigeria came with additional challenges.
Also facing trial are oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who has denied bribery-related charges, and her brother, Doye Agama, who is accused of conspiracy but also maintains his innocence.
The trial is ongoing.
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