Former Nigerian Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Faces London Bribery Trial

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former oil minister and OPEC’s first female president, is on trial in London for allegedly accepting bribes between 2011 and 2015. Prosecutors say she received cash, luxury goods, cars, and school fees from companies seeking oil contracts. Her brother and another person are also charged. She denies all allegations, while Nigerian authorities have seized several of her properties.

OPEC’s first female president, Diezani Alison-Madueke, is facing a major corruption trial in London, accused of using her position as Nigeria’s oil minister to enrich herself through bribes. British prosecutors allege that between 2011 and 2015, while serving under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Alison-Madueke accepted financial rewards from companies seeking lucrative oil and gas contracts with Nigeria’s state-owned petroleum corporation.
The trial opened on Tuesday, and it was revealed that the alleged bribes went beyond cash payments to include luxury goods, chauffeur-driven cars, and payment of her son’s school fees. High-end items from stores such as Harrods and Louis Vuitton were also cited as part of the benefits she received. Prosecutors specifically mentioned that these advantages were provided by individuals linked to the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups.
Alison-Madueke, who is now 65, has been on bail since her initial arrest in London in October 2015 and was formally charged in 2023. Alongside her, two other individuals, including her brother, face similar bribery charges. At the time of the alleged offenses, all three defendants had British addresses.
In Nigeria, authorities have taken action to seize several properties owned by Alison-Madueke, valued at millions of dollars, as part of the ongoing investigation into her activities. All the accused have pleaded not guilty, denying all allegations made against them. The trial highlights ongoing concerns over corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector and the international reach of anti-bribery enforcement.