Former Nigerian oil minister and ex-president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared before a London court on Monday as preliminary proceedings began in her long-awaited corruption trial.
The hearing marked the start of technical case management processes, including jury selection, ahead of the full trial on bribery charges linked to her tenure as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources.
Alison-Madueke, who served in office between 2010 and 2015, made history as Nigeria’s first female oil minister and the first woman to preside over OPEC. She has, however, consistently denied all allegations brought against her.
The 65-year-old has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015. She faces six counts of bribery, formally filed in 2023 by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
According to the NCA, Alison-Madueke is accused of abusing her position in Nigeria to receive financial and material benefits in exchange for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts.
“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” the agency said when charges were announced.
Prosecutors allege that she benefited from at least £100,000 in cash, as well as chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights, and the use of multiple luxury properties in London.
The indictment also details additional benefits including furniture purchases, property renovations, domestic staff, private school tuition fees, and luxury gifts from high-end designer brands such as Louis Vuitton.
The trial is scheduled to formally commence on Monday, January 26, and is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks.
Two other defendants are standing trial in connection with the case. Doye Agama appeared in court via video link on Monday, while Olatimbo Ayinde was physically present in the dock. Both face bribery-related charges tied to the alleged scheme.
AFP
