Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied all bribery allegations against her, pleading not guilty as her trial formally opened at the Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday.
British prosecutors told the court that Alison-Madueke, 65, allegedly accepted bribes between 2011 and 2015 while serving under former President Goodluck Jonathan, in exchange for influencing the award of lucrative oil and gas contracts linked to Nigeria’s state-owned oil company.
According to the prosecution, individuals and firms seeking access to oil assets allegedly provided the former minister with substantial financial and material benefits. These purported inducements included cash payments, luxury items, private jet flights, chauffeur-driven vehicles, refurbishment and staffing costs for London properties, as well as school fees for her son.
Prosecutors alleged that the benefits were connected to contracts awarded to companies associated with the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups.
Addressing the court, the prosecution argued that Alison-Madueke should not have accepted gifts or benefits from individuals conducting high-value business with government-owned entities.
Alison-Madueke, who also served as President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) between 2014 and 2015, has consistently denied the allegations. She has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and was formally charged by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2023.
At the time of filing charges, the NCA said it suspected the former minister had abused her position and accepted financial rewards in return for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.
The case is one of several legal battles linked to Alison-Madueke across multiple jurisdictions. In Nigeria, courts seized properties connected to her in 2017, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) still has pending cases against her.
Two other defendants, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are standing trial alongside Alison-Madueke on related bribery charges.
Trial judge, Justice Justine Thornton, said the court hopes to conclude proceedings by April 24.
PUNCH