Ex-Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears In London Court Ahead Of Bribery Trial
Former OPEC president and Nigeria’s ex-oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared in a London court on Monday ahead of her upcoming trial on bribery charges linked to her time in office from 2010 to 2015. Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s first female oil minister and the first woman to serve as OPEC president, has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has denied all six charges against her. She was formally charged in 2023 by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) over allegations that she accepted bribes while in office. At the time, the NCA said, “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.” The indictment alleges that Alison-Madueke received at least £100,000 ($134,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, and access to several London properties. It also details other benefits, including furniture, property renovations, staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and luxury gifts from brands such as Louis Vuitton. The trial is set to begin on Monday, January 26, and is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks. Two other individuals, Doye Agama, who appeared via video link, and Olatimbo Ayinde, who was present in court, are also being prosecuted on bribery charges linked to the case.