Ex-Nigerian Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears in UK Court Ahead of Bribery Trial

Diezani Alison-Madueke, the ex-Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, faced a UK court ahead of her bribery trial scheduled for January 2026. She is accused of accepting a £100,000 bribe for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts while serving from 2010 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan.

Alison-Madueke, who made history as the first female president of the OPEC in 2014, was granted bail but faces strict conditions due to being deemed a flight risk. The Nigerian government and US authorities have been pursuing asset recovery actions linked to her alleged involvement in illicit activities, including luxury properties and a superyacht.