EX-OPEC President, Alison Madueke in UK court for Corruption Trial
EX-OPEC President, Alison Madueke in UK court for Corruption Trial
Former Nigeria Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke appeared in a London court Monday to face six bribery charges.
Serving from 2010 to 2015, the 65-year-old is accused of corruption during her tenure under the Goodluck Jonathan administration. This trial marks a significant milestone in a legal battle that began over a decade ago when she first moved to the UK.
The UK’s National Crime Agency alleges she exchanged lucrative oil contracts for luxury benefits, including £100,000 in cash and the use of high-end London properties. Other alleged bribes included private jet travel, chauffeur services, designer gifts from brands like Louis Vuitton, and the payment of private school fees. Prosecutors claim these perks were direct rewards for her influence in the energy sector.
Alison-Madueke has consistently maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty to all counts of bribery. Having been on bail since her 2015 arrest, she and her legal team intend to vigorously contest the accusations. The current proceedings involve jury selection and technical preparations as she prepares to defend her record against the international investigation.
In Nigeria, the EFCC continues to pursue her for the alleged theft of $2.5 billion in state funds. The Nigerian government has already seized several of her properties and luxury assets while seeking her extradition to face separate money laundering charges.
Nigerian authorities remain in contact with UK prosecutors, hoping to eventually recover and repatriate any stolen assets found abroad.
The full trial is set to begin on January 26 and is expected to last up to 12 weeks. As the first female president of OPEC, her case is a high-profile test for international anti-corruption efforts.
The verdict will be closely watched as a major indicator of how global legal systems handle high-level financial crimes involving public officials.
