Ex-Nigerian oil minister denies taking bribes
Ex-Nigerian Oil Minister Denies Taking Bribes
Court Proceedings
A retired Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, stood before Southwark Crown Court on Monday to refute allegations of bribery. She claimed she never solicited or accepted money from businessmen in exchange for awarding government contracts. “At no point did I request or receive a bribe,” she stated, emphasizing her efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria, a nation long associated with it since its colonial era.
“I can state categorically that I did not ask for, take, or receive a bribe from these individuals and did not misuse my position,” Alison-Madueke asserted. “I always aimed to act with fairness and impartiality.”
The prosecution alleges that Alison-Madueke enjoyed luxurious accommodations and significant expenditures in the UK, including over £2 million spent at Harrods and £4.6 million on home renovations. However, she argued that the cost of these services was later reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), with a London-based firm managing logistics due to the NNPC’s financial instability.
Accusations and Defense
Alison-Madueke described the homes provided as part of her official duties, noting that one property in Gerrards Cross was used during a Christmas 2011 stay for her husband’s medical treatment. She insisted she was not involved in arranging the visit, which lasted five days. A second trip, spanning two weeks, included her and up to a dozen officials writing a book to honor the Nigerian president’s support for women.
“I took it upon myself to compile that book to highlight the president’s work for women,” she said.
Regarding the properties in question, she claimed the one overlooking Regent’s Park was reserved for discreet meetings, while the other accused of being used for personal gain was “completely gutted” and unlivable. The court also heard that her mother resided in St John’s Wood with Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko, who is not on trial but is linked to the case.
Career and Background
Alison-Madueke’s career included a rapid rise at Shell, where she became the first senior female executive in its Nigerian operations. She recounted that her father, a former Shell employee, had once challenged the company for “apartheid practices” in the Niger Delta. “I found the job uncomfortable,” she said, adding that Shell had faced criticism for its environmental impact in the region.
She further explained that during her time at Shell, the company grappled with oil spills in the Niger Delta, a place of her family’s origin. “I believed they hadn’t done enough to address the damage they caused,” she testified. Concerns about her safety in Nigeria led her to describe the country as “patriarchal,” with “dire threats of kidnap” targeting her and her family.
Broader Case
In addition to her charges, Alison-Madueke faces five counts of accepting bribes and one of conspiring to do so. Her brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, is also on trial, denying involvement in the case. Meanwhile, oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, is accused of bribery and aiding a foreign public official in corruption.
Alison-Madueke admitted she was unaware of a £100,000 cash transfer from her chauffeur, stating it had no connection to her actions. The trial continues as the court evaluates the claims against her and the other defendants.