London — British prosecutors have accused Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, of accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high-end properties from industry operators.
The prosecutors made the allegation before the Southwark Crown Court in London during Alison-Madueke’s trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde, an oil executive and her brother Doye Agama.
All three entered a plea of not guilty to a five-count charge related to accepting bribes.
The lead prosecutor, Alexandra Healy told the jury that Alison-Madueke “enjoyed a life of luxury in London,” which was funded by individuals seeking to secure oil contracts in Nigeria.
She said that the former minister was given luxury properties and high-end goods by those who hoped she would use her influence to grant them favours in securing oil deals.
Healy disclosed that Kolawole Aluko, a Nigerian businessman who is named in one of the charges but is not standing trial, spent over £2 million on luxury items for Alison-Madueke at Harrods, a renowned UK department store.
The prosecutor also revealed that Alison-Madueke and her family frequently stayed in a mansion purchased by Aluko outside London.
The property, bought through a company for £3.25 million, was maintained with Aluko covering bills, staff wages, and refurbishments.
Healy could not provide direct evidence showing that the former minister awarded contracts in exchange for the alleged bribes, but argued that it was inappropriate for Alison-Madueke to accept such lavish gifts from individuals doing business with government-owned entities.
Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
She was also president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2014.
