Diezani Alison-Madueke Denies Bribery Charges in UK Court
Former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, testified in Southwark Crown Court Monday, denying all bribery allegations while serving office from 2010-2015. "I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort," she told the court. UK prosecutors charge her with five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery related to oil and gas contract awards.
Prosecution alleges Mrs. Alison-Madueke received lavish UK funding including over £2 million spent at Harrods and £4.6 million for property refurbishments in London and Buckinghamshire. She faces trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother Doye Agama. The former minister claims expenses were reimbursed by NNPC for official purposes and cited security concerns as a female minister in Nigeria's patriarchal society.
In Nigeria, courts have already ordered forfeiture of assets worth billions of naira linked to her. The case continues as Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts gain international attention through such high-profile prosecutions. Will this UK trial set a precedent for holding former Nigerian officials accountable for corruption allegations?