Ex-Nigeria Oil Minister Accused Of Corruption

[ad_1] by Jeroslyn JoVonn January 29, 2026

The trial started Jan. 26 at London’s Southwark Crown Court docket.

A high-profile trial started Jan. 26 at London’s Southwark Crown Court docket involving former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, who faces fees of bribery and conspiracy throughout her 2010–2015 tenure, BBC studies.

Prosecutors allege she loved “a lifetime of luxurious in the UK,” together with multimillion-dollar properties, a chauffeur-driven automobile, non-public jet journey, and £100,000 in money, all funded by businessmen looking for contracts with Nigerian state-owned oil and fuel corporations.

Prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke, first charged in 2023, obtained extra perks, together with £4.6 million for property refurbishments in London and Buckinghamshire and over £2 million ($2.75 million) on luxurious items at Harrods, courtesy of businessman Kolawole Aluko.

Aluko, head of his firm Tenka Restricted, additionally purchased a mansion outdoors London for her household, protecting payments, employees salaries, and renovations. Prosecutors say these advantages got in expectation that Alison-Madueke would use her official affect to favor the givers, although there isn't a proof she instantly awarded contracts improperly.

Jurors have been instructed that Alison-Madueke, who has pleaded not responsible to the costs, spent a part of her time within the U.Ok., the place she was supplied with a housekeeper, nanny, gardener, and window cleaner. The salaries and different family bills have been reportedly coated by house owners of vitality corporations holding profitable contracts with the state-owned Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company.

“This case is about bribery in relation to the oil and fuel trade in Nigeria through the interval 2011 to 2015,” mentioned prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC. “Throughout that point, those that have been within the award and retention of profitable oil and fuel contracts with the state-owned Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company or its subsidiaries, the Nigerian Petroleum Improvement Firm and the Pipelines Product Advertising Firm, supplied vital monetary or different benefits to Alison-Madueke.”

Alison-Madueke is on trial alongside oil govt Olatimbo Ayinde, accused of bribing her and the previous NNPC managing director, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, who isn't dealing with trial. Her brother, Doye Agama, charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, is attending by way of video hyperlink for medical causes. All three have pleaded not responsible within the trial anticipated to final 12 weeks.

Oil is a serious a part of Nigeria’s financial system, but the broader inhabitants usually sees little profit. Through the trial, Healy defined why the case is being heard within the U.Ok., regardless of alleged bribery related to Nigeria’s oil and fuel trade.

“We stay in a worldwide society. Bribery and corruption undermine the correct functioning of the worldwide market,” Healy mentioned. “There is a vital public curiosity in making certain that conduct in our nation doesn't additional corruption overseas.”