Former Nigerian oil minister and ex-OPEC president, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared before a London court on Monday as preliminary proceedings began in her long-running bribery case.
The initial hearings, which include technical matters and jury selection, mark the start of a trial linked to allegations that Alison-Madueke accepted bribes during her tenure as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015. The 65-year-old was present in court and has pleaded not guilty to all six charges.
Alison-Madueke made history as Nigeria’s first female oil minister and later became the first woman to serve as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
She has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015, but was formally charged in 2023 by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). The agency alleges that she abused her position to receive illicit benefits in exchange for awarding lucrative oil contracts.
“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” the NCA said at the time.
According to the indictment, Alison-Madueke allegedly received at least £100,000 in cash, along with luxury benefits including chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, and the use of multiple London properties.
Prosecutors further claim she benefited from expensive furniture, renovation works, domestic staff, private school fees, and high-end gifts from designer brands such as Louis Vuitton.
The full trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, and is expected to run for 10 to 12 weeks.
Two other defendants are also facing bribery charges in connection with the case. Doye Agama appeared via video link, while Olatimbo Ayinde was present in court.
Credit:AFP
