Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Tuesday entered a not guilty plea to multiple bribery charges at Southwark Crown Court in London, as prosecutors painted a picture of lavish living allegedly financed through corrupt practices.
British prosecutors informed the court that the 65-year-old former minister accepted bribes between 2011 and 2015 during her tenure under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
The prosecution alleged that persons seeking profitable oil and gas contracts with Nigeria’s state petroleum company offered her substantial financial rewards and other benefits in return for wielding her influence in their favour.
“She should not have accepted benefits from those doing extremely lucrative business with government-owned entities,” the prosecutor said.
According to the charges, Alison-Madueke allegedly received financial inducements and other gratifications from individuals associated with Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups, companies which obtained contracts from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its affiliated entities.
The court heard that the purported benefits included £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, refurbishment work and staff costs at London properties, as well as school fees for her son and luxury items from stores such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton.
Alison-Madueke, who held the position of President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries between 2014 and 2015, has been implicated in various legal proceedings worldwide, including in the United States.
Nigerian courts ordered the forfeiture of properties valued at several million dollars belonging to her in 2017.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission also has ongoing cases against the former minister.
She has remained on bail following her arrest in London in October 2015, with formal charges filed in 2023.
She has consistently maintained her innocence regarding all accusations.
At the time of her arrest, the UK National Crime Agency stated it suspected she had “abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.”
Two other defendants, Doye Agama, identified as her brother, and Olatimbo Ayinde, are facing trial on connected bribery charges.
The presiding judge, Justine Thornton, expressed optimism that proceedings would be completed by April 24.