Diezani Alison-Madueke Denies Bribery Charges in UK Court

Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Monday to deny charges of bribery and corruption. The 65-year-old claimed she attempted to combat corruption in Nigeria, describing the country as grappling with vices since colonial times.

Prosecutors alleged that several Nigerian businessmen funded lavish expenditures on her behalf, including £2 million at Harrods and £4.6 million for property refurbishments in London and Buckinghamshire. Alison-Madueke stated that these expenses were incurred during official engagements and were later reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

She emphasized that she never received bribes and insisted that the funds were for state purposes. Additionally, she highlighted the challenges faced by women in Nigeria's patriarchal society and the security threats she encountered, including risks of kidnapping.

Alison-Madueke is facing five counts of accepting bribes, while Olatimbo Ayinde and Doy Agama are also implicated in related charges.