Former Minister of Petroleum Resources and ex-president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied allegations that she accepted bribes, as her legal team opened its defence at her corruption trial in London.
Diaspora NG had reported that Alison-Madueke, 65, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, where she was seen taking notes on the third day of proceedings. She is facing several bribery-related charges arising from a long-running investigation by British authorities.
The alleged offences were said to have occurred between 2011 and 2015, during her tenure as Nigeria’s oil minister, a period in which prosecutors claim she maintained a residence in the United Kingdom.
The UK National Crime Agency has accused Alison-Madueke of receiving illicit payments in Britain, alleging earlier in the trial that she lived extravagantly on funds provided by individuals seeking oil and gas contracts with Nigeria’s state-owned petroleum corporation.
However, her defence counsel, Jonathan Laidlaw, told the jury that the former minister had been prejudiced by what he described as an excessive delay in bringing the charges, arguing that crucial evidence that could support her innocence was no longer available.
Laidlaw further claimed that Alison-Madueke had been unable to return to Nigeria to prepare her defence because British authorities had retained her passport since her arrest more than a decade ago.
He added that Nigerian ministers are barred from holding foreign bank accounts, insisting that any accommodation, travel or purchases made in the UK were reimbursed from Nigeria, but said records to support this had since disappeared.
Prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke accepted financial benefits from individuals connected to Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups, companies that secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries.
The alleged benefits include cash payments, luxury transport, private jet flights, property refurbishments in London, school fees, and high-end shopping, claims the former minister has consistently denied.
Alison-Madueke, who has been on bail in the UK since her arrest in October 2015, was formally charged in 2023.
Two other defendants, her brother Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also standing trial over related bribery allegations.
