Former Nigerian Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Denies Bribery Charges in UK Court
By Nexio News
LONDON — Nigeria’s former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has vehemently denied allegations of bribery and corruption during her testimony at London’s Southwark Crown Court. The 65-year-old ex-official, who once led Nigeria’s oil sector and served as OPEC president, faces multiple charges tied to her tenure between 2010 and 2015.
The Allegations
Prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke accepted bribes in exchange for lucrative oil and gas contracts. They claim Nigerian businessmen funded her extravagant lifestyle, including over £2 million spent at London’s Harrods and £4.6 million used to renovate high-end properties in the UK. Among the assets linked to her are a £2.8 million Marylebone townhouse and a Buckinghamshire estate.
Court documents reveal that some payments were allegedly made through credit cards tied to Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko and his firm, Tenka Limited.
“I Did Not Take Bribes”
In a firm rebuttal, Alison-Madueke insisted she never solicited or received illicit payments. “I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take, or receive a bribe of any sort,” she told the court, according to the BBC.
She argued that expenses incurred during official engagements were reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). Due to what she described as the NNPC’s “disorganised financial structure,” a logistics company was set up in London to handle her travel and accommodation.
“They paid for all my hotels, chauffeurs… to allow me to perform the job that I did,” she said.
Security Concerns and Property Use
Addressing claims about luxury properties, Alison-Madueke stated that some were used for official purposes, including discreet diplomatic meetings. She denied personal ownership of several residences, saying some were arranged without her knowledge or were uninhabitable at the time.
She also cited security threats, explaining that as Nigeria’s first female petroleum minister, she faced kidnapping risks in what she called a “very patriarchal society.”
Ongoing Legal Battles
The UK case is just one of several legal challenges Alison-Madueke faces. Nigerian courts have already ordered the forfeiture of billions of naira in assets linked to her. Back home, multiple corruption cases remain stalled due to her absence since relocating to the UK in 2015 after her party lost the presidential election.
Also on trial is oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, accused of bribing a foreign official, and Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. Both have pleaded not guilty.
What’s Next?
The trial continues as prosecutors and defense teams present further evidence. If convicted, Alison-Madueke could face significant prison time, marking a dramatic fall for one of Africa’s most powerful former oil executives.
— Reported by Nexio News
