UK Court: Diezani Took Luxury Homes, Designer Goods as Bribes

 

British prosecutors have told a London court that Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources, received luxury properties and expensive items as bribes from oil industry figures seeking favours.

The allegations were presented on Tuesday before the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom, as the trial of the former minister continued.

Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, on a five-count charge of bribery. All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to prosecutors, Alison-Madueke lived an extravagant lifestyle in London, allegedly funded by individuals who believed she could influence the award of oil contracts in Nigeria.

Alexandra Healy, the prosecutor, told the court that the former minister was provided with high-end properties and luxury goods by businessmen with interests in Nigeria’s oil sector.

She revealed that Kolawole Aluko, a Nigerian businessman named in one of the charges but not currently on trial, spent over £2 million on luxury items for Alison-Madueke at Harrods, a prominent UK luxury store.

The court was also told that Alison-Madueke and her family frequently stayed in a mansion outside London purchased by Aluko for £3.25 million through a corporate entity. Prosecutors said Aluko also covered bills, staffing costs and refurbishment expenses for the property.

Healy, however, noted that there was no evidence that Alison-Madueke awarded oil contracts to individuals who were unqualified or undeserving. She stressed that the issue before the court was the impropriety of accepting gifts and benefits from individuals doing business with government-owned entities.

Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. She was also elected president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2014.