KEY POINTS

• Diezani Alison-Madueke’s bribery and corruption trial is ongoing in London over alleged oil contract kickbacks.

• Prosecutors claim she received £100,000 in cash and luxury benefits from companies linked to NNPC contracts.

• The former petroleum minister denies the allegations and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The bribery and corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, has continued in London, as prosecutors detailed allegations that she received substantial cash payments and luxury benefits in exchange for influence over lucrative oil and gas contracts.

Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister and later as president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) between 2014 and 2015, is accused of accepting bribes linked to contracts awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

According to prosecutors, the former minister allegedly received £100,000 in cash, access to chauffeur-driven luxury vehicles, private jet flights, and high-end goods from individuals connected to Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups.

The prosecution claims the companies involved benefitted from her influence, securing oil-related contracts with the NNPC during her tenure in office. The alleged benefits, prosecutors argue, were provided as inducements to ensure favourable treatment and continued access to Nigeria’s lucrative oil sector.

Alison-Madueke denies wrongdoing, defence rejects allegations

Alison-Madueke has pleaded not guilty to the charges, firmly denying any involvement in bribery or corruption. Her legal team told the court that she did not personally award contracts and acted only within the confines of official recommendations presented to her office.

Her lawyer argued that she functioned largely as a “rubber stamp” within the government system and did not exercise unilateral authority over contract approvals, insisting that the allegations misrepresent her role as petroleum minister.

The London trial, described as one of the most high-profile corruption cases involving a former Nigerian government official, is expected to last several weeks. If convicted, Alison-Madueke could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and/or an unlimited fine under UK law.

The case has attracted international attention due to Alison-Madueke’s former position at the helm of Nigeria’s oil sector, a key revenue source for Africa’s largest economy, and her historic role as the first female president of OPEC.

The continuation of the trial has once again drawn focus to long-standing concerns over governance, transparency, and accountability within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Over the years, the sector has been plagued by allegations of corruption, opaque contract awards, and financial mismanagement.

Anti-corruption advocates say the outcome of the case could have broader implications for global efforts to combat cross-border corruption and recover illicit assets linked to public officials.