Diezani Alison-Madueke Denies Bribery in UK Court

Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria, testified at the Southwark Crown Court in the UK, asserting that she never solicited bribes and that her luxurious lifestyle was funded by the Nigerian government. She explained that expenses incurred in London were reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) due to logistical inefficiencies.

The court heard allegations that Nigerian businessmen financed her extravagant expenses, including £2 million at Harrods and £4.6 million for property refurbishments. Alison-Madueke defended her arrangements, stating they were strictly official duties, and addressed questions regarding her residence in Buckinghamshire, which she claimed was uninhabitable at the time.

She also denied knowledge of a £100,000 cash delivery linked to her. Facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, she stands trial alongside oil executives Olatimbo Ayinde and Doy Agama, both of whom have pleaded not guilty.