Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has told a United Kingdom court that she neither solicited nor received any form of bribe while in office.
Testifying at the Southwark Crown Court, she maintained that all expenses incurred on her behalf during official trips to London were legitimate and reimbursed by the Nigerian government.
“I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort… I always sought to act impartially,” she told the court.
However, prosecutors allege that several Nigerian businessmen funded luxury expenses for her during her tenure. These reportedly include over £2 million spent at Harrods, as well as about £4.6 million used to refurbish properties in London and Buckinghamshire.
The court also heard that she had access to high-value properties, including residences in Marylebone and homes overlooking Regent’s Park.
Responding to the claims, Alison-Madueke insisted that all arrangements were strictly tied to her official duties. She explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company reimbursed the expenses and that a London-based firm handled her travel and accommodation due to logistical challenges.
“They paid for all my hotels, chauffeurs… to allow me to perform my duties,” she said.
She also addressed questions about her stay at a property in Gerrards Cross, explaining that she spent time there with her family during Christmas 2011 because her former husband needed medical attention. She added that she later returned to the same location for official work on a publication highlighting government efforts on women’s development.
On accommodation arrangements, she said staying in serviced apartments in St John’s Wood was more cost-effective than luxury hotels such as The Savoy Hotel or The Dorchester, which she noted could cost about £2,000 per night.
She also denied any knowledge of an alleged £100,000 cash delivery linked to one of her chauffeurs, insisting it had nothing to do with her.
Reflecting on her time in office, Alison-Madueke described facing serious security threats, including alleged kidnapping incidents involving members of her family, which she said underscored the challenges of operating in a male-dominated environment.
Alison-Madueke, who in 2015 became the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is currently facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
She is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother Doye Agama, both of whom are facing related charges. All defendants have pleaded not guilty, and proceedings are ongoing.
