Former Nigerian Oil Minister Denies Corruption Charges in UK Court, Claims Bureaucratic Constraints
By Nexio News | June 5, 2024
Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied allegations of bribery and corruption in a high-profile trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court, insisting that contract decisions during her tenure were made through a multi-layered bureaucratic process beyond her direct control.
Testifying on Wednesday, the ex-minister—who also served as OPEC president from 2014 to 2015—argued that her role was largely procedural, with operational authority resting with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). “The choice had been made by the time files reached my desk,” she told the court, describing Nigeria’s oil sector as too vast for any single official to oversee personally.
Lavish Lifestyle and Bribery Allegations
Prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke accepted bribes tied to lucrative oil contracts, funding an extravagant lifestyle in the UK. Court documents reveal claims of over £2 million spent at Harrods and £4.6 million used to renovate high-end London properties, including a £2.8 million Marylebone residence and a Buckinghamshire estate.
The prosecution linked these expenses to Nigerian businessmen, including Kolawole Aluko, whose company, Tenka Limited, allegedly provided payment cards for her purchases. Alison-Madueke, however, denied wrongdoing, stating that official expenses were reimbursed by NNPC and that she “never asked for, took, or received a bribe.”
Defense: Reforms, Threats, and Political Pushback
The former minister painted a picture of a tenure marked by reform efforts and resistance. She cited her attempt to cancel questionable crude oil contracts in 2014 after a whistleblower exposed irregularities tied to businessman Igho Sanomi. The move, she said, triggered backlash—including complaints to then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Alison-Madueke also addressed the infamous $20 billion “missing oil money” scandal, clarifying that audits later attributed the funds to subsidy payments and operational costs. “The narrative was politically motivated,” she asserted, claiming media reports unfairly damaged her reputation.
Emotionally, she recounted personal risks, including the 2013 abduction of her sister and threats against her son, who required military protection to attend school. “Resisting corruption made me a target,” she told the court.
Travel, Finances, and Legal Constraints
Facing scrutiny over her foreign transactions, Alison-Madueke admitted using Nigerian bank cards abroad but stressed that ministers were barred from holding foreign accounts—a rule that sometimes left her stranded with declined payments. She defended her travel records, noting that official delegations often included 30 staff and that private jets were standard for domestic trips.
What’s Next?
The trial, now in its decisive phase, could deliver a verdict soon. Alison-Madueke faces five counts of bribery and one conspiracy charge, all of which she denies. If convicted, she risks a lengthy prison sentence in the UK, where she has resided since fleeing Nigeria after the 2015 election.
Meanwhile, Nigerian courts have already ordered the forfeiture of billions of naira in assets linked to her, though domestic cases remain stalled due to her absence.
— Reported by Nexio News
