Ex-Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears in London Court Over £100,000 Bribery Charges

Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has appeared before the Southwark Crown Court in London for a preliminary hearing in her ongoing bribery trial. The case relates to allegations that she received illicit benefits while serving in public office.

The court appearance took place on Monday before Justice Thornton. It marked the commencement of preliminary proceedings ahead of the substantive trial, which is scheduled to begin on January 26.

Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015, attended the hearing in person. The early stage of the trial is focused on procedural and technical matters, including jury selection, which began this week.
The former minister, now 65 years old, has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015. She has consistently denied all allegations brought against her.

Alison-Madueke was formally charged in 2023 by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency. The charges relate to six counts of bribery allegedly committed between 2011 and 2015, during her tenure in office.

Prosecutors allege that she abused her position as Nigeria’s petroleum minister by accepting financial and material rewards in exchange for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts. The National Crime Agency said it believes the former minister exploited her influence to secure personal benefits.

According to the indictment, Alison-Madueke is accused of receiving at least £100,000 in bribes. The alleged benefits reportedly included large sums of cash, the use of chauffeur-driven luxury vehicles, flights on private jets, and access to multiple high-value properties in London.

The charges further detail other alleged rewards, such as expensive furniture, renovation works on properties, and the provision of domestic staff. Prosecutors also claim that private school fees were paid on her behalf.

Luxury items are also listed among the alleged benefits. These include gifts from high-end designer brands, such as Louis Vuitton, which investigators say were provided as part of the inducements linked to the bribery scheme.

At the time the charges were announced, the National Crime Agency stated that it suspected Alison-Madueke of abusing her power in Nigeria to enrich herself. The agency said the alleged conduct involved the manipulation of the contract-awarding process within the petroleum sector.

During the preliminary hearing, the court outlined the timetable for the trial and addressed preparatory matters necessary before the presentation of evidence. Alison-Madueke is expected to remain on bail throughout the proceedings unless the court rules otherwise.

The full trial is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks. It will involve testimony from witnesses and the presentation of documentary and financial evidence by the prosecution.
Two other individuals are also facing prosecution in connection with the case. Doye Agama appeared before the court via video link during Monday’s proceedings.

Another defendant, Olatimbo Ayinde, was physically present in the dock alongside Alison-Madueke. Both individuals are accused of involvement in the alleged bribery arrangements linked to the former minister.

Alison-Madueke’s case has attracted significant international attention due to her high-profile role in Nigeria’s government. She was Nigeria’s first female Minister of Petroleum Resources.

She also made history as the first woman to serve as president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Her leadership roles placed her among the most influential figures in the global energy sector at the time.
The outcome of the trial is expected to have broader implications, particularly regarding international cooperation in prosecuting corruption cases involving former public officials. The proceedings will continue in London as scheduled later this month. Ex-Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears in London Court Over £100,000 Bribery Charges

Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has appeared before the Southwark Crown Court in London for a preliminary hearing in her ongoing bribery trial. The case relates to allegations that she received illicit benefits while serving in public office.
The court appearance took place on Monday before Justice Thornton. It marked the commencement of preliminary proceedings ahead of the substantive trial, which is scheduled to begin on January 26.

Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015, attended the hearing in person. The early stage of the trial is focused on procedural and technical matters, including jury selection, which began this week.
The former minister, now 65 years old, has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015. She has consistently denied all allegations brought against her.

Alison-Madueke was formally charged in 2023 by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency. The charges relate to six counts of bribery allegedly committed between 2011 and 2015, during her tenure in office.

Prosecutors allege that she abused her position as Nigeria’s petroleum minister by accepting financial and material rewards in exchange for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts. The National Crime Agency said it believes the former minister exploited her influence to secure personal benefits.

According to the indictment, Alison-Madueke is accused of receiving at least £100,000 in bribes. The alleged benefits reportedly included large sums of cash, the use of chauffeur-driven luxury vehicles, flights on private jets, and access to multiple high-value properties in London.

The charges further detail other alleged rewards, such as expensive furniture, renovation works on properties, and the provision of domestic staff. Prosecutors also claim that private school fees were paid on her behalf.

Luxury items are also listed among the alleged benefits. These include gifts from high-end designer brands, such as Louis Vuitton, which investigators say were provided as part of the inducements linked to the bribery scheme.
At the time the charges were announced, the National Crime Agency stated that it suspected Alison-Madueke of abusing her power in Nigeria to enrich herself. The agency said the alleged conduct involved the manipulation of the contract-awarding process within the petroleum sector.

During the preliminary hearing, the court outlined the timetable for the trial and addressed preparatory matters necessary before the presentation of evidence. Alison-Madueke is expected to remain on bail throughout the proceedings unless the court rules otherwise.

The full trial is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks. It will involve testimony from witnesses and the presentation of documentary and financial evidence by the prosecution.
Two other individuals are also facing prosecution in connection with the case. Doye Agama appeared before the court via video link during Monday’s proceedings.

Another defendant, Olatimbo Ayinde, was physically present in the dock alongside Alison-Madueke. Both individuals are accused of involvement in the alleged bribery arrangements linked to the former minister.

Alison-Madueke’s case has attracted significant international attention due to her high-profile role in Nigeria’s government. She was Nigeria’s first female Minister of Petroleum Resources.

She also made history as the first woman to serve as president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Her leadership roles placed her among the most influential figures in the global energy sector at the time.
The outcome of the trial is expected to have broader implications, particularly regarding international cooperation in prosecuting corruption cases involving former public officials. The proceedings will continue in London as scheduled later this month.