The corruption trial of Nigeria's former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, continued on Wednesday in London, with new testimony being presented about millions of pounds allegedly spent on luxurious property renovations.
The focus of the proceedings at Southwark Crown Court shifted to a construction contractor with links to high-end London properties, as prosecutors sought to uncover what they describe as a broader financial network of benefits flowing through intermediaries.
The 65-year-old former minister faces multiple bribery charges arising from an extensive investigation spanning several years.
The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 2011 and 2015, during her tenure as Nigeria’s oil minister, although she maintained a residence in the UK.
The UK National Crime Agency (NCA), which targets international and organized crime, accuses her of receiving bribes while in Britain.
Alison-Madueke is alleged to have accepted "financial or other advantages" from individuals associated with the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups—companies that secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or its subsidiaries, according to the prosecution.
The former minister is also accused of receiving £100,000 ($137,000) in cash, luxury vehicles, a private jet flight to Nigeria, and refurbishment work at several properties in London, along with the cost of staff for these homes.
Further charges suggest she received school fees for her son, items from upscale stores like Harrods and Louis Vuitton, as well as additional private jet flights.
Alison-Madueke, who served as President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) from 2014 to 2015, is involved in several legal cases globally, including in the United States.
She has been on bail in Britain since her initial arrest in October 2015. In 2023, she was formally charged with accepting bribes, a claim she denies.
Two others, her brother Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also facing bribery charges in connection with the case.
According to the prosecution, all three defendants had a UK address at the time of the alleged offences.