Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday for the start of her corruption trial.
Alison-Madueke, who made history as Nigeria’s first female oil minister and the first woman to serve as OPEC president, has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and denies all six charges against her.
She was formally charged in 2023 by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) for allegedly accepting bribes between 2011 and 2015. The NCA stated at the time, “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.”
The indictment claims Alison-Madueke received at least £100,000 ($134,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, and access to multiple London properties. The charges also mention other benefits, including furniture, renovation work, staff for the properties, private school fees, and luxury gifts from designer brands such as Louis Vuitton.
Her trial is scheduled to start on Monday, January 26, and is expected to run for 10 to 12 weeks.
Two other individuals are also facing bribery charges in connection with the case: Doye Agama, who appeared via video link, and Olatimbo Ayinde, who was present in the court dock.
