Amanze Chinonye
Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Tuesday appeared before a London court and entered a not-guilty plea to multiple bribery charges linked to her time at the helm of Nigeria’s oil sector, Prime Business Africa reports.
Opening the case at Southwark Crown Court, British prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke received extensive financial and luxury benefits from oil industry figures between 2011 and 2015, during which she allegedly used or was expected to use her influence over state oil and gas contracts.
Alison-Madueke, 65, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan and later became the first woman to lead the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is facing six criminal counts: five for accepting bribes and one for conspiracy to commit bribery. She has denied all allegations.
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Prosecutor Alexandra Healy told the jury that the former minister frequently stayed in London and was allegedly provided with what she described as a “luxury lifestyle” funded by businessmen seeking favourable access to Nigeria’s petroleum sector. The benefits, the court heard, included the use of luxury apartments, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet travel and high-value consumer goods.
While stressing that the prosecution was not claiming Alison madueke awarded contracts unlawfully, Healy argued it was illegal for a public office holder to accept valuable benefits from individuals with commercial interests in government-controlled entities.
The former minister is standing trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde, an oil executive charged with bribery in connection with Alison-Madueke and a separate allegation involving a foreign public official. Also charged is Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, who is accused of conspiring to receive bribes linked to a religious organisation. Agama is participating in the proceedings via video link for health reasons. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke received multiple financial inducements over a four-year period, including access to private aviation and luxury accommodation. The court was told that her son’s school fees were allegedly paid by Nigerian businessman Benedict Peters, who is named in the indictment but is not among the defendants.
Another Nigerian businessman, Kolawole Aluko, also not on trial, was said to have spent more than £2 million on luxury purchases for Alison-Madueke at a London department store, as well as acquiring a Buckinghamshire property valued at over £3 million for her use. Prosecutors claimed Aluko covered maintenance, staff salaries and refurbishment costs for the property.
Ayinde is further accused of bribing a former managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in 2015, shortly after the change of government in Nigeria, in an attempt to secure continued employment for an associate. The former NNPC official is not facing charges in the case.
Addressing the jury, the prosecution said the trial’s location in the United Kingdom reflects the defendants’ personal and financial connections to Britain, adding that corruption cases of this nature have international consequences.
Nigeria remains Africa’s largest oil producer, but systemic corruption and governance challenges have long limited the broader economic benefits of its energy resources.
The trial, which is expected to run for up to 12 weeks, is being closely watched as one of the most significant foreign corruption cases involving Nigeria’s oil industry to be heard in a UK court.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
