Ex-Nigeria oil minister stands trial in UK

A former oil minister in Nigeria accepted bribes, including the use of multimillion-pound properties and “a life of luxury in the United Kingdom” from industry figures interested in government contracts, a court in London has heard.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, is alleged to have been provided with a chauffeur-driven car, travel by private jet, and £100,000 in cash.

Other benefits she allegedly received included “vast quantities of luxury goods at Harrods and other high-end stores” and £4.6m spent on refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire, the trial at Southwark Crown Court was told.

She denies the five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery. Ms Alison-Madueke was the Minister of Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jurors were told she lived some of the time in the UK, where she was provided with a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner.

The salaries and other running costs were paid for by the owners of energy companies who had lucrative contracts with the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the court was told.

“This case is about bribery in relation to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria during the period 2011 to 2015,” Alexandra Healy KC, prosecuting, said.

“During that time, those who were interested in the award and retention of lucrative oil and gas contracts with the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation or its subsidiaries, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company and the Pipelines Product Marketing Company, provided significant financial or other advantages to Alison-Madueke.”

Healy added: “It might seem strange to be dealing here in the UK with a case that concerns bribery in relation to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.