Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s first female petroleum minister, appeared before a London court on Monday as preliminary proceedings began ahead of her corruption trial.
The 65-year-old former minister, who served from 2010 to 2015 and made history as the first woman to lead OPEC, attended court for technical procedures and jury selection that commenced this week.
Alison-Madueke has been free on bail since her initial arrest in London during October 2015. She maintains her innocence against six charges filed against her.
The UK’s National Crime Agency formally indicted her in 2023 on allegations of accepting bribes throughout a four-year period from 2011 to 2015.
“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” the NCA stated when charges were filed.
Court documents allege that Alison-Madueke received benefits valued at minimum £100,000 ($134,000), including cash payments, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet travel, and access to several London properties.
Additional alleged benefits outlined in the charges encompass furniture, property renovations, household staff, private school tuition payments, and luxury items from high-end retailers including Louis Vuitton.
The full trial is set to commence on January 26 and court officials anticipate proceedings will continue for 10 to 12 weeks.
Two additional individuals face bribery charges connected to the case: Doye Agama, who participated in Monday’s hearing remotely, and Olatimbo Ayinde, who appeared in person.
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