Prosecutors in the United Kingdom on Wednesday told a London court that a former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly spent more than £2m, estimated at over N4bn, on luxury shopping at Harrods.
The prosecution said the funds used for the purchases were provided by oil executives whose companies benefited from major contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
According to prosecutors, the same business figures also financed the upkeep of Alison-Madueke’s residence in the UK, including the payment of salaries for her domestic staff.
Evidence presented at Southwark Crown Court showed that the expenses covered wages for a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner attached to the former minister’s property.
Prosecutors told jurors that the alleged benefits were offered as inducements to secure favourable decisions on lucrative oil and gas contracts during her time in office.
Alison-Madueke, a former president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is standing trial on multiple counts relating to the alleged acceptance of bribes through luxury items and access to high-value properties. She has denied all the charges.
The court heard that the former minister lived an opulent lifestyle in the UK, including access to Harrods’ exclusive personal shopping service, reserved for top-spending customers.
Prosecutors said records showed that more than £2m was spent at the store on her behalf, with several transactions allegedly made using payment cards linked to oil businessman Kolawole Aluko and his firm, Tenka Limited.
The jury was also told that about £4.6m was allegedly spent refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire connected to her use.
One of the properties, a Buckinghamshire residence known as The Falls, was allegedly bought by Nigerian businessman Olajide Omokore and placed at Alison-Madueke’s disposal for several years.
The court further heard that between 2011 and 2014, about £500,000 was paid in rent for two central London apartments occupied by Alison-Madueke and her mother.
She is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, while her brother, Doye Agama, is also charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The trial, expected to last about 12 weeks, continues.