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Written by Lizzy Chakupi
The long-running corruption trial of Nigeria’s former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Alison Madueke, resumed at Southwark Crown Court in London this week, with prosecutors presenting new evidence relating to millions of pounds she is said to have spent renovating luxury properties in the British capital.
Jurors on Wednesday heard testimony from a construction contractor who worked on several luxury London homes said to have ties to the former minister. Prosecutors said the renovations were part of a broader pattern of “financial benefits and favors” Alison Madueke allegedly received through intermediaries during her tenure.
The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) said these payments and luxury services were compensation for oil contracts awarded to companies linked to the Atlantic Energy and SPOG petrochemical group of companies that secured lucrative deals with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries between 2011 and 2015.
“The King’s case is that huge sums of money were channeled through intermediaries to provide living expenses far beyond his legal income,” one of the prosecutors told the court, adding that the renovations were “not a gift between friends, but a bribe disguised as a business transaction.”
Investigators allege Alison Madueke, now 65, received a wide range of benefits including: £100,000 in cash.
A chauffeur-driven luxury car, a private jet flight between the UK and Nigeria, expensive renovations to a London property and staff salaries, my son’s school fees, and designer goods from Harrods and Louis Vuitton.
The court said the alleged bribes were received in the UK while she was resident in the UK despite serving as Nigeria’s oil minister.
“This was not a one-time payment, but a continuous stream of benefits over several years,” prosecutors said. “That was the price of access to Nigeria’s oil resources.”
Alison Madueke, who served as oil minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan and later became OPEC’s first female president, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
She was first arrested by British authorities in October 2015 as part of a major international investigation into allegations of corruption within Nigeria’s oil sector. After years of investigation, she was formally indicted on multiple bribery charges under British law in 2023.
The National Crime Agency said the case was one of its most significant foreign corruption prosecutions and reflected Britain’s commitment to targeting illicit wealth flowing through the financial system.
Co-defendants Doye Agama, who is said to be Alison Madueke’s brother, and businessman Olatimbo Ayinde are also charged with bribery in connection with the scheme. Prosecutors claim all three men maintained UK domiciles at the time of the offences.
The context of this case goes far beyond the London courtroom.
During his tenure as oil minister, Alison Madueke oversaw Africa’s largest oil producer at a time when billions of dollars were flowing into Africa every year. Since then, Nigerian authorities and international organizations have accused government officials of using shell companies and politically connected companies to divert public funds.
In the United States, the Justice Department has previously seized luxury real estate and assets allegedly linked to corrupt proceeds related to her tenure, while Nigeria’s anti-corruption authorities have pursued separate forfeiture cases.
Despite multiple investigations across jurisdictions, Alison-Madueke has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting the allegations were politically motivated and that her wealth was legitimate.
The trial in London is expected to last several weeks, with additional witnesses expected to testify about financial transactions, property records and the alleged links between oil contracts and personal interests.
If convicted, the former minister could face a hefty prison sentence under Britain’s corruption laws.
