Ex-Nigerian oil minister denies taking bribes
Ex-Nigerian oil minister denies taking bribes
Allegations and Rebuttals
A former Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, has denied receiving bribes in exchange for awarding government contracts. During testimony at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, she claimed that expenses incurred during her time in the UK were later covered by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). Alison-Madueke emphasized her efforts to combat corruption, stating,
“I have always sought to act impartially and tried to push back on corruption in a country that has long struggled with it.”
She argued that the cost of services, such as luxury accommodations and high-end spending, was reimbursed by the NNPC, with a separate London-based firm managing logistical arrangements due to the company’s financial instability.
Prosecution’s Claims
The prosecution alleges that Alison-Madueke was provided with multiple opulent properties in the UK, including a £2.8 million home in Marylebone and several residences near Regent’s Park, as part of a bribery scheme. These homes, valued at over £4.6 million in renovations, are said to have been funded by Nigerian businessmen. However, she contested these claims, asserting that the properties were used for official duties and that one in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, was utilized for a five-day Christmas 2011 stay due to her ex-husband’s medical needs. She clarified that she had no involvement in arranging the visit, which was covered by a businessman named Kolawole Aluko, who is not on trial.
Professional Background
Alison-Madueke’s career in the oil sector began at Shell, where she rose rapidly to become the first senior female executive in the Nigerian operation. Despite her professional ascent, she described her time at the company as uncomfortable, citing her father’s past legal battles against Shell for alleged “apartheid practices” in the Niger Delta. She noted that Shell faced significant criticism for its environmental impact in the region, particularly oil spills affecting her hometown. In 2015, she made history by becoming the first woman to lead the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a role she maintained while facing accusations of corruption.
Other Defendants
The case also involves Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, an oil industry executive who denies one count of bribery and another of bribing a foreign public official. Alison-Madueke’s brother, former Archbishop Doye Agama, 69, is also part of the trial, denying corruption charges. During the hearing, she acknowledged that a chauffeur once delivered £100,000 in cash, but insisted the money was unrelated to her actions. She described Nigeria as a “patriarchal society,” where women in leadership roles face severe threats, including kidnap, and noted that her family members were targeted for their association with her.
Alison-Madueke faces five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiring to do so. She remains steadfast in her defense, stating that the financial arrangements were transparent and necessary for her work. The court will now evaluate whether her explanations align with the evidence presented against her.
