Former OPEC president and Nigeria’s ex-oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared in a London court on Monday ahead of her full trial on bribery charges linked to her tenure from 2010 to 2015.
Preliminary proceedings, including technical matters and jury selection, began this week with Alison-Madueke in attendance. She was Nigeria’s first female oil minister and the first woman to lead the global oil cartel, OPEC.
The 65-year-old has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has denied the six charges brought against her. In 2023, the UK’s National Crime Agency formally charged her with accepting bribes while in office.
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The NCA alleged that Alison-Madueke “abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.” According to the indictment, she received at least £100,000 ($134,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, and access to multiple London properties.
Additional alleged benefits include property renovations, furniture, staff services, private school fee payments, and luxury gifts from top designer brands such as Louis Vuitton.
The trial is scheduled to commence on Monday, January 26, and is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks.
Two others are also facing prosecution on related bribery charges: Doye Agama, who appeared via video link on Monday, and Olatimbo Ayinde, who was present in the dock.
