DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE APPEARS IN UK COURT AHEAD OF BRIBERY TRIAL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday appeared before the Southwark Crown Court in London for the preliminary hearing of her trial over alleged bribery offences.
The case was listed before Justice Thornton in Court 8, as preliminary proceedings, including technical matters and jury selection, commenced ahead of the full trial scheduled to begin on January 26, 2026. Alison-Madueke was present in court.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015, was the first woman to hold the position and also the first female president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The 65-year-old has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has pleaded not guilty to six counts of bribery. She was formally charged in 2023 by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) over allegations that she accepted bribes while in office between 2011 and 2015.
According to the NCA, Alison-Madueke is alleged to have abused her position by receiving financial rewards in exchange for awarding multi-million-pound oil contracts. The indictment claims she benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights and the use of multiple properties in London.
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The charges also include alleged benefits such as furniture, renovation works, domestic staff, payment of private school fees, and luxury items from high-end designer brands, including Louis Vuitton.
The trial, expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks, will also involve two co-defendants. Doye Agama appeared via video link on Monday, while Olatimbo Ayinde was present in court.
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