British prosecutors have accused Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, of receiving bribes in the form of luxury items and access to high-end properties from oil industry figures seeking favourable treatment.
The allegations were presented on Tuesday at the Southwark Crown Court in London as Alison-Madueke’s trial continued.
The former minister is standing trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde, an oil executive, and Doye Agama, her brother, on five counts related to bribery. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Addressing the jury, prosecutor Alexandra Healy said Alison-Madueke “enjoyed a life of luxury in London”, allegedly funded by individuals interested in securing oil contracts in Nigeria.
Healy told the court that the former minister was provided with expensive properties and luxury goods by people who believed she would use her influence to advance their business interests.
According to the prosecution, Kolawole Aluko, a Nigerian businessman named in one of the charges but not currently on trial, spent more than £2 million on luxury items for Alison-Madueke at Harrods, a high-end department store in the UK.
Healy also told jurors that Alison-Madueke and her family frequently stayed in a mansion outside London purchased by Aluko.
The court heard that the property was acquired through a company for £3.25 million, with Aluko allegedly covering bills, staff salaries and renovation costs.
However, the prosecutor noted that there was no evidence showing that Alison-Madueke awarded oil contracts to unqualified parties.
She said the issue was not whether contracts were properly awarded but that it was inappropriate for a public official to accept benefits from individuals doing business with government institutions.
Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
She was also elected president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2014.
