UK Court hears bribery case against ex-Nigerian Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke

British prosecutors on Tuesday accused former Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, of living a “life of luxury” funded by bribes received during her tenure between 2011 and 2015.

Alison-Madueke, 65, the first female president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court in London on the first day of her trial. She faces multiple counts of bribery linked to contracts awarded while she served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources under President Goodluck Jonathan.

Prosecutors told the court that individuals seeking lucrative oil and gas contracts with Nigeria’s state-owned entities provided Alison-Madueke with “significant financial or other advantages,” which she allegedly accepted in breach of her official duties.

The charges allege that she received cash payments of £100,000 ($137,000), chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, and refurbishments of London properties, including payment for staff costs. Additional allegations include the payment of her son’s school fees and receipt of luxury goods from stores such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton.

Companies linked to the alleged bribes include Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical, both of which secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or its subsidiaries during her ministerial tenure.

Alison-Madueke, who served as OPEC president from 2014 to 2015, has previously faced multiple legal actions globally, including in the United States. In Nigeria, several of her properties, valued at millions of dollars, were seized by courts in 2017. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed that it still has ongoing cases against her.

She has been on bail in the UK since her first arrest in October 2015 and denies all charges. Two other defendants, her brother Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also being prosecuted in the UK over related bribery allegations. The prosecution said all three defendants held British addresses at the time of the alleged offences.

Judge Justine Thornton indicated that the trial is expected to conclude by April 24.