Former Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Denies Bribery Allegations in UK Court
In a high-profile testimony at Southwark Crown Court in London, former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke has vehemently denied all bribery allegations leveled against her. The 65-year-old ex-minister, who also served as the first female president of OPEC, insisted she never solicited or accepted any bribes during her tenure in public service.
Denial of Corruption Claims
"I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort... and did not abuse my office," Alison-Madueke told the court. She emphasized that she consistently resisted corruption throughout her career and always acted impartially in discharging her official duties.
The prosecution alleges that several Nigerian businessmen funded luxury expenses on her behalf, including more than £2 million spent at Harrods and approximately £4.6 million on property refurbishments in London and Buckinghamshire. However, Alison-Madueke countered these claims by stating that all services provided during official engagements were properly reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
Logistics Company Explanation
Alison-Madueke explained that due to inefficiencies in NNPC's financial systems at the time, a logistics service company was established in London to manage travel, accommodation, and related arrangements. "They paid for all my hotels, chauffeurs... to allow me to perform the job that I did," she testified.
The court heard claims about the former minister's access to several high-value properties, including a £2.8 million home in Marylebone and residences overlooking Regent's Park. Prosecutors also cited a stay at a property in Gerrards Cross during Christmas 2011, where Alison-Madueke and her family reportedly spent five days.
Property Stay Justifications
Regarding the Gerrards Cross stay, Alison-Madueke denied involvement in arranging it, stating it was necessitated by her then-husband's medical condition which prevented travel back to Nigeria. She described another two-week visit as involving officials working on a publication highlighting the Nigerian president's efforts on women's empowerment.
Addressing allegations about other properties, she described one as being used for "discreet" official meetings, while another was allegedly under renovation and uninhabitable when she visited. The court also heard that she and her mother stayed in apartments in St John's Wood, with rent reportedly covered by Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko.
Cost-Saving Measures
Alison-Madueke said she had recommended this arrangement as a cost-saving measure compared to high-end hotels such as the Savoy and Dorchester. She further denied knowledge of an alleged £100,000 cash delivery made by one of her chauffeurs, stating the money had no connection to her.
Professional Background and Challenges
During her testimony, Alison-Madueke recounted her professional background, including her rise within Shell where she became the first female senior executive in its Nigerian operations. She spoke critically of the company's handling of oil spills in the Niger Delta and its treatment of her father, a former employee who had taken legal action against the firm.
She also highlighted the security challenges she faced while in office, describing Nigeria as a "very patriarchal society" and noting that she had been under threats of kidnapping, with members of her family reportedly abducted.
Current Charges and Co-Defendant
Alison-Madueke is currently facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she denies. Also on trial is oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who denies one count of bribery and another count of bribing a foreign public official.
The former minister made history in 2015 as the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Her testimony continues as the court examines the complex financial arrangements and allegations surrounding her time in office.
