Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday appeared before a London court as preliminary proceedings commenced ahead of her full trial over alleged bribery offences connected to her tenure as Nigeria’s oil minister.
The initial court session focused on procedural matters, including jury selection and other technical issues, with Alison-Madueke present in court.
Alison-Madueke, who served as petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015, made history as Nigeria’s first female oil minister and later became the first woman to lead the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The 65-year-old has remained on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has consistently denied all six charges filed against her.
In 2023, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) formally charged the former OPEC president, alleging that she received bribes between 2011 and 2015 while in public office.
At the time, the NCA stated that investigators believed Alison-Madueke abused her position in Nigeria by accepting financial inducements in exchange for awarding lucrative oil contracts worth millions of pounds.
Court documents allege that the former minister received benefits valued at over £100,000, including cash payments, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights, and access to several properties in London.
The charges further detail claims of additional benefits such as luxury furniture, property renovations, household staff, payment of private school fees, and expensive gifts from high-end fashion brands including Louis Vuitton.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, and is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks.
Two other individuals—Doye Agama, who joined the proceedings via video link, and Olatimbo Ayinde, who appeared in court—are also facing bribery-related charges connected to the case.
