Court proceedings in the corruption and bribery case involving former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, resumed on Monday at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Alison-Madueke has pleaded not guilty to several charges tied to alleged misconduct during her time overseeing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Prosecutors, however, allege that she accepted cash payments and luxury benefits in exchange for influencing the award of energy contracts. The case is being closely watched and is seen as significant for global efforts to enforce accountability in the energy industry.
‘Life of Luxury’ Allegations
On the third day of the trial, Alison-Madueke, 65, sat in court taking notes as her legal team challenged the prosecution’s claims.
The UK National Crime Agency (NCA), which handles serious and organised crime, alleges that between 2011 and 2015 — while she served as oil minister and maintained a UK residence — she received bribes in Britain.
According to prosecutors, the former minister lived a “life of luxury,” funded by individuals and companies seeking favourable treatment in securing oil and gas contracts with Nigeria’s state-owned petroleum corporation.
The benefits allegedly included £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet trips, refurbishment work and staff expenses for London properties, luxury shopping sprees at stores such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton, and payment of her son’s school fees.
She is also accused of accepting advantages from individuals linked to Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical, companies that reportedly secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries.
Defence Responds
Her defence team strongly denied the allegations.
Lead counsel Jonathan Laidlaw told the court that crucial evidence that could prove her innocence had been lost or was no longer available due to delays in bringing the charges.
He argued that Alison-Madueke had been unable to properly prepare her defence, noting that her passport had been held by British authorities since her arrest more than a decade ago, preventing her from travelling to Nigeria to gather documents.
Laidlaw also said Nigerian ministers are prohibited from operating foreign bank accounts and maintained that any expenses covered by others in the UK were reimbursed from Nigeria. However, he said relevant records have since disappeared.
Background
Alison-Madueke, who served as OPEC president between 2014 and 2015, has faced multiple investigations across several countries.
She has been on bail in the UK since her arrest in October 2015 and was formally charged with bribery in 2023. Two other defendants — her brother, Doye Agama, and Olatimbo Ayinde — are also facing related charges.
The trial continues.
