Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is accused of living in luxury homes for free and spending lavishly in exchange for awarding government contracts, denied receiving any bribes while testifying in a British court.
Nigeria’s former oil minister is accused of benefiting from the possibility of staying in homes in Britain worth millions of pounds sterling, which were paid for and furnished by energy companies seeking government contracts in Nigeria.
Madueke denies the charges against her
Alison-Madueke denied five charges of receiving bribes and conspiring to commit bribery. In her testimony before Southwark Crown Court in London, Alison-Madueke said: “I did not misuse my position during that period.”.
Alison Madueke added: “I categorically state that I have never asked for, taken, or sought to receive a bribe or any kind of bribe from any of these individuals.”.
Meanwhile, the British prosecution says the minister also benefited from private jets, a car with a driver and shopping trips, including spending £2 million at London's famous Harrods department store.
According to the claim, Alison-Madueke also received £100,000 in cash during her time as Nigeria's oil minister from April 2010 to May 2015.
Who is Allison Madueke?
Alison Madueke served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-President Goodluck Jonathan, and briefly held the presidency of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), becoming the first woman to hold either of these positions.
The 65-year-old Madueke is now one of the most prominent former energy officials to face corruption charges, after being indicted on five counts in 2023 related to accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery, charges which she categorically denies.
