In brief
Diezani Alison-Madueke, the 65-year-old former Nigerian oil minister, appeared in Southwark Crown Court to refute allegations of bribery involving considerable sums spent on her by Nigerian businessmen. She emphasizes her efforts to combat corruption and states that all expenses were reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company during her official duties, denying any misconduct.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Nigerian oil minister, is facing allegations of accepting bribes linked to lavish spending sprees in the UK. In testimony at Southwark Crown Court, she categorically denied seeking or receiving any bribes, asserting that she has always strived to combat corruption in Nigeria, a nation long plagued by such issues.The accusations include claims that Alison-Madueke received substantial benefits from wealthy Nigerian businessmen, such as over £2 million in purchases at high-end department store Harrods and extravagant home refurbishments worth £4.6 million. She clarified that the costs incurred during her official duties were reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), and she had set up a service company in London to manage logistics amid financial disarray at the NNPC.In her court appearance, Alison-Madueke stated, I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe... I always sought to act impartially. Furthermore, she claimed that expenses for accommodations and transportation were covered by the NNPC to facilitate her responsibilities.The prosecution's case cites several luxury properties associated with Alison-Madueke, alleging she benefited from costly renovations and accommodations. The former minister spoke of specific visits to UK properties for official functions, emphasizing that her involvement in certain arrangements was limited and that the spending was legitimate.She also expressed her concerns regarding her personal security in Nigeria during her tenure, highlighting the challenges faced as a female leader in a predominantly patriarchal society. Alison-Madueke, who also served as the first female head of OPEC in 2015, maintains her innocence against five counts of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery. The trial is ongoing, with claims against her brother and an oil executive also under scrutiny.
