Tag: Alison-Madueke

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former oil minister and a past president of OPEC, appeared before a London court on Monday as proceedings began ahead of her bribery trial. The opening phase of the case is focused on preliminary and procedural issues, including jury selection, with Alison-Madueke present in court. The substantive trial is slated to start on Monday, January 26, and is expected to run for about 10 to 12 weeks. Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015, making history as the first woman to hold the position and later the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Now 65, she has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has pleaded not guilty to all six counts brought against her. In 2023, the UK’s National Crime Agency formally charged her over alleged bribery offences said to have taken place between 2011 and 2015, during her time in office. “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.” Court documents allege that she received benefits worth at least £100,000, including cash payments, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights and access to several properties in London. Prosecutors also claim the rewards extended to luxury items and services such as designer goods from stores including Louis Vuitton, furniture, home renovations, household staff and the payment of private school fees. Two other defendants are facing related bribery charges in the case. Doye Agama joined Monday’s hearing by video link, while Olatimbo Ayinde was physically present in the dock.