Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been brought before the Southwark Crown Court in London, United Kingdom, for a preliminary hearing connected to alleged bribery offences.
Alison-Madueke, who served in office between 2010 and 2015, made history as Nigeria’s first female oil minister and later became the first woman to preside over the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.
The matter was heard on Monday before Justice Thornton.
She appeared in court as part of initial proceedings ahead of her main trial, which is scheduled to begin on January 26.
Preliminary stages of the case, including procedural issues and jury selection, commenced this week, with Alison-Madueke present in court.
Now aged 65, she has remained on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has pleaded not guilty to all six charges filed against her.
In 2023, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency formally charged her with offences relating to the acceptance of bribes between 2011 and 2015.
“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” the NCA said at the time.
Court documents allege that Alison-Madueke received benefits worth at least £100,000, including cash payments, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights, and access to several properties in London.
The indictment further outlines alleged benefits such as furniture purchases, property renovations, domestic staff services, payment of private school fees, and luxury items from designer brands including Louis Vuitton.
The trial is expected to commence on Monday, January 26, and is projected to run for between 10 and 12 weeks.
Two additional defendants are facing related bribery charges in the case: Doye Agama, who appeared via video link on Monday, and Olatimbo Ayinde, who was physically present in the dock.
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