Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears in London Court Ahead of Bribery Trial
Former Nigerian oil minister and ex-OPEC president, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday appeared before a London court as preliminary proceedings commenced in her long-awaited bribery trial.
The initial hearing covered technical matters and jury selection, with Alison-Madueke present in court. Her full trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, and is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks.
Alison-Madueke, 65, served as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015 and made history as the first woman to hold the position, as well as the first female president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
She has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has pleaded not guilty to six counts of bribery. In 2023, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) formally charged her with accepting bribes between 2011 and 2015.
At the time, the NCA alleged that she abused her position to receive financial rewards in exchange for awarding multi-million-pound oil contracts. Prosecutors claim she benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights and the use of several London properties.
The indictment further alleges she received additional benefits including luxury furniture, renovation works, paid staff for the properties, private school fees and high-end designer gifts.
Two other defendants, Doye Agama—who appeared via video link—and Olatimbo Ayinde, who was in court, are also facing bribery charges connected to the case.
