By Ayo Kehinde
Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday, appeared before a Southwark Crown Court in London, as her long-awaited corruption trial formally commenced, nearly a decade after investigations into alleged bribery during her time in office began.
The opening phase of the proceedings began last week with preliminary matters, including technical applications and jury selection, marking the first substantive courtroom stage of the high-profile case.
Alison-Madueke, 65, was physically present in court as the process got underway, ahead of full trial hearings expected to feature extensive documentary and witness evidence.
The former minister, who served between 2010 and 2015 under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and also made history as the first woman to serve as president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is facing six counts of bribery. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke abused her position in Nigeria’s oil sector by accepting bribes between 2011 and 2015 in exchange for awarding lucrative oil contracts and exercising influence over key commercial decisions. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), which brought the charges in 2023, claims she benefited from at least £100,000 in cash, alongside luxury advantages including chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights and the use of high-end London properties.
Court filings further allege that she received expensive furniture, funding for property renovations, household staff services, private school fees and designer goods, including items from brands such as Louis Vuitton, as part of the alleged bribery scheme.
Alison-Madueke was first arrested in London in October 2015 and has remained on bail since then while investigations continued. Her trial is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks, during which prosecutors are expected to present financial records, property transactions and witness testimony to support their case.
She is standing trial alongside two other defendants, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde. Agama appeared via video link, while Ayinde was present in court.
