KEY POINTS

• Alison-Madueke denied all bribery allegations, insisting she never solicited or accepted illicit payments.
• She attributed her trial to gender bias and political scapegoating.
• Prosecutors allege she lived lavishly through illicit benefits, claims her defence strongly disputes.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has firmly denied allegations of bribery and abuse of office during her tenure between 2010 and 2015.

Testifying before the Southwark Crown Court in London, she told the court that she neither solicited nor accepted any form of bribe from individuals mentioned in the charges.

Alison-Madueke, who has pleaded not guilty to five counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, argued that her prosecution is influenced by societal and political factors.

She suggested that being a woman in a male-dominated environment contributed to her situation, adding that she may have been unfairly targeted as a scapegoat.

Prosecutors Allege Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Associates

Prosecutors claim the former minister enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle in London, including access to high-end properties and expensive shopping trips allegedly financed by individuals seeking favorable treatment.

In response, Alison-Madueke stated that then-President Goodluck Jonathan was aware of her use of a property in Gerrards Cross for official engagements. She explained that accommodation arrangements facilitated by businessman Kolawole Aluko were necessary due to financial challenges within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s London office.

Her legal team maintains that she acted professionally and without bias throughout her tenure, insisting that any expenses incurred were duly repaid.

The ongoing trial continues to spotlight longstanding concerns over corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector, a critical area of the nation’s economy.