Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has told a UK court that she neither solicited nor received bribes during her time in office, insisting that all expenses linked to her lifestyle were officially funded and reimbursed by the Nigerian government.
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Testifying on Monday at the Southwark Crown Court, Alison-Madueke said her accommodation, travel, and logistics in the United Kingdom were strictly tied to her official responsibilities. She maintained that she acted within the bounds of her office at all times and rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing.
“I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort… I always sought to act impartially,” she told the court.
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The prosecution, referencing a report by the BBC, alleges that Nigerian businessmen funded a lavish lifestyle for the former minister, including millions of pounds spent on luxury shopping at Harrods and the refurbishment of high-end properties in London and Buckinghamshire. It is further claimed that she had access to upscale residences in areas such as Marylebone and near Regent’s Park, raising questions about the source of the funds used.
However, Alison-Madueke dismissed these allegations, explaining that the arrangements were part of official logistics. She told the court that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company reimbursed the costs and that a London-based service company was engaged to manage her movements due to inefficiencies within the system. According to her, the support she received was necessary to effectively carry out her duties.
Addressing specific instances raised during the trial, she explained that her stay in Gerrards Cross during Christmas 2011 was due to her husband’s medical condition, which prevented him from traveling back to Nigeria. She also described a separate visit to the same location as work-related, stating that she collaborated with officials on a publication highlighting the Nigerian president’s support for women. In her testimony, she emphasized that such engagements were part of her broader responsibilities while in office.
The development reflects broader trends in political updates across Nigeria.
She further clarified that a residence near Regent’s Park was used for discreet official meetings, while another property linked to her was not habitable at the time she saw it. On the issue of accommodation in St John’s Wood, Alison-Madueke argued that staying in serviced apartments was a more cost-effective option compared to luxury hotels like the Savoy or Dorchester, which she said charged around £2,000 per night. She also denied any knowledge of a reported £100,000 cash delivery, insisting it was unrelated to her.
Reflecting on her time in office, Alison-Madueke described the pressures she faced, noting that Nigeria’s political environment was highly challenging and, in her words, “very patriarchal.” She told the court that she lived under serious security threats, including fears of kidnapping and incidents affecting members of her family.
Alison-Madueke, who became the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in 2015, is currently facing multiple charges, including bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she denies. She is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, who have also pleaded not guilty.
Her case dates back to 2015, when she was arrested in London as part of a wide-ranging international investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering, involving agencies such as the National Crime Agency. Over the years, the case has evolved into one of the most closely watched legal battles involving a former Nigerian public official.
As proceedings continue, the court is expected to determine whether the expenses in question were legitimate government-funded logistics or improper benefits. The outcome could have significant implications for accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s oil sector, as well as for international anti-corruption efforts.
