The long-awaited corruption trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, is scheduled to commence in London on Monday.
Alison-Madueke, 65, who once made history as the first female president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is facing multiple charges bordering on bribery and conspiracy during her time in office between 2010 and 2015 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to prosecutors, the former minister is accused of receiving financial benefits and luxury gifts from individuals connected to two international energy companies over a four-year period. The alleged benefits reportedly included the use and renovation of high-value properties in London, payment of staff salaries, expensive furniture, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights, and large sums of cash.
Court documents also allege that Alison-Madueke accepted other inducements such as payment of her son’s school fees, shopping sprees at luxury outlets including Harrods and Louis Vuitton, as well as additional private jet travel.
Prosecutors argue that the acceptance of these benefits amounted to a breach of her official responsibilities and influenced decisions made during her tenure as Nigeria’s oil minister.
The former minister appeared before a London court last week for preliminary hearings, which covered procedural issues and jury selection. The trial itself is expected to run for approximately 10 to 12 weeks.
Two other individuals, identified as Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also standing trial in connection with the alleged bribery scheme.
Alison-Madueke has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015. She has consistently denied all allegations levelled against her.
In 2023, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) formally charged her, stating that investigations suggested she abused her position in Nigeria in exchange for substantial financial rewards linked to major oil contracts.
That same year, the NCA disclosed that it had assisted United States authorities with evidence that led to the recovery of assets valued at over $53 million, allegedly connected to the former minister. Recovered assets reportedly included luxury properties in New York and California, as well as a superyacht named Galactica Star.
Born in Port Harcourt in 1960, Alison-Madueke studied architecture in the United Kingdom and the United States before beginning her career with Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria.
She later transitioned into politics, serving as Minister of Transportation in 2007, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, and eventually Minister of Petroleum Resources. In 2014, she was appointed OPEC president, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
The trial is expected to attract significant international attention due to its political and economic implications.
