ENERGY FIRMS ALLEGEDLY FUNDED DIEZANI’S STAFF SALARIES VIA NNPC CONTRACTS, COURT HEARS

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, is facing additional accusations as her high-profile bribery trial continues in London, United Kingdom.

British prosecutors told the court that founders of energy companies with lucrative contracts from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) covered the running costs of Alison-Madueke’s UK residence. They also allegedly paid the salaries of her domestic staff, including a housekeeper, nanny, gardener, and window cleaner.

Alison-Madueke faces five charges related to accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high-end properties owned by industry figures. Prosecutors highlighted her penchant for high fashion, noting that she reportedly employed a personal shopper at Harrods using the payment cards of Kolawole Aluko and his company, Tenka Limited.

Aluko, a petroleum and aviation mogul, was among several Nigerian officials and industry figures named in the Panama Papers. He was previously investigated for allegedly helping funnel millions of dollars from Nigeria as kickbacks to Alison-Madueke.

The court heard that Alison-Madueke spent over £2 million at Harrods, where personal shopper status is reserved for members who spend more than £10,000 a year.

Other defendants include Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, and oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde.