Nigeria’s ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, is currently on trial in London where British prosecutors have presented evidence alleging that energy companies with lucrative Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) contracts funded her lavish lifestyle and paid salaries for her domestic staff. The trial, taking place at Southwark Crown Court, centres on charges of accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery in relation to her tenure from 2011 to 2015. Alison-Madueke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

Prosecutors told the court that founders and executives of energy firms who held or aimed to retain oil and gas contracts with NNPC and its subsidiaries provided significant benefits to Alison-Madueke during her time in office. These benefits allegedly included covering the running costs of her property in the United Kingdom, and paying the salaries of her household staff, which reportedly included a housekeeper, nanny, gardener, and window cleaner. 

Evidence presented by the prosecution describes an environment where industry figures appeared to provide financial or other advantages on the understanding that Alison-Madueke might favour them in contract awards. Prosecutors explained that she lived part of the time in the UK at a London-area property whose running costs were met by individuals with NNPC business interests. The court was told that energy company owners not only paid staff salaries but also contributed to other expenses tied to her residence. 

Jurors were also informed that more than £2 million was spent on luxury goods for Alison-Madueke at Harrods, a high-end department store in London. Purchases were made using payment cards linked to Kolawole Aluko and the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited. The prosecution said she had access to a personal shopper at Harrods, a service typically offered to top-tier customers who spend significant amounts annually. 

British prosecutors described the alleged conduct as part of a pattern in which significant financial advantages flowed to Alison-Madueke from individuals who stood to benefit from favourable treatment in relation to oil contracts. It was further alleged that the mansion she lived in outside London, reportedly acquired for £3.25 million, along with the costs of refurbishing and maintaining the property, were covered by a business associate implicated in the case. 

Alison-Madueke, 65, served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015, a period that also saw her become the first woman president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). She is charged with five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery under British law. 

At the start of the trial, prosecutors outlined that the alleged advantages included not only property use and staff salaries but also other benefits such as luxury goods, refurbishment work, furniture, chauffeured transport, private jet flights, school fees, and cash payments. While the UK trial focuses on the bribery charges, broader allegations of corruption and asset accumulation have been the subject of investigations in multiple jurisdictions, including Nigeria and the United States. 

Her co-defendants include her brother, Doye Agama, charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, and Olatimbo Ayinde, who faces related bribery counts. Both defendants deny the charges against them. 

The trial is expected to run for several weeks, during which the court will hear testimony, review financial documents, and consider evidence related to the alleged bribery scheme. Prosecutors argue that accepting such substantial benefits from individuals with business interests in Nigeria’s oil sector was improper for someone in her position, even though the evidence has not shown that specific contracts were awarded as a direct result of these alleged bribes. 

Diezani Alison-Madueke has denied wrongdoing and maintains her plea of not guilty. The proceedings underscore ongoing international efforts to address corruption allegations involving high-profile former officials and the complex legal mechanisms used when alleged offences cross national borders.