A jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court has begun deliberations in the bribery trial of former Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, following nearly four months of proceedings involving multiple co-defendants.
Alison-Madueke, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan and previously held leadership roles in OPEC, is facing charges of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she has denied.
Prosecutors alleged that she lived a lavish lifestyle funded by oil executives seeking access and influence over Nigeria’s petroleum sector, including luxury properties, private flights, chauffeur-driven cars, and high-end shopping.
During the trial, prosecutors described her as the central figure in a large-scale corruption network, while her defence maintained that she acted within official duties and denied receiving illicit payments.
The court also heard evidence involving co-defendants, including oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother Doye Agama, both of whom have denied the allegations linked to bribery and conspiracy.
Prosecutors further presented claims of messages allegedly linked to Alison-Madueke suggesting she exerted pressure on oil executives during disputes, which they argued contradicted her defence that she was a victim of blackmail.
However, her legal team dismissed the allegations, insisting she never received improper benefits and challenged the credibility of the evidence presented.
After months of testimony and cross-examinations, the jury has now been tasked with deciding the verdict on all charges.
