Ex-Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke Resumes In London Court

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison-Madueke, at the Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday, February 2026.   The corruption trial of Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, continued on Wednesday in London, with jurors hearing fresh testimony about millions of pounds allegedly spent on luxury property refurbishments.   Proceedings at Southwark Crown Court shifted focus to a construction contractor linked to high-end London homes, as prosecutors worked to trace what they describe as a wider financial trail of benefits flowing through intermediaries.   The 65-year-old is accused of multiple bribery counts stemming from a years-long investigation.   The alleged offences occurred between 2011 and 2015, when she was Nigeria’s oil minister but maintained a UK address.   The UK National Crime Agency (NCA), which targets international and serious and organised crime, has accused her of receiving the bribes in Britain.   Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting “financial or other advantages” from individuals linked to the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups.   Both companies secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or its subsidiaries, according to the prosecution.   The former minister is also said to have received £100,000 ($137,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, a private jet flight to Nigeria and refurbishment work and staff costs at several London properties.   Other counts allege she received school fees for her son, products from high-end shops such as London’s Harrods department store and Louis Vuitton, and further private jet flights.  

Read More

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.

Read More