By Ayo Kehinde
Former Nigerian minister of petroleum , Diezani Alison-Madueke has been charged with bribery offences following a National Crime Agency, NCA, investigation in the United Kingdom.
The 63-year old Alison-Madueke served during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan’ between 2010 and 2015. She is also a former president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.
According to reports, the NCA suspects she accepted bribes during her time as Minister for Petroleum Resources, in exchange for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts.
She is alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.
Her charges also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.
Madueke, who currently lives in St John’s Wood, London, will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 2 October.
