JUST-IN: Ex-Minister Diezani arraigned before UK Court

• NCA accused Diezani of accepting bribes during her time as Minister for Petroleum Resources in exchange for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts
• She was alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties

Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been arraigned before a Westminster Magistrate’s Court in London, United Kingdom.

She was docked on Monday on charges bordering on bribery offences following an investigation by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

NCA leads the UK’s fight to tackle grave and organised crime, protecting the public by targeting and pursuing criminals who pose the greatest risk to the UK.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, aged 63, who also served as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was a key figure in President Goodluck Jonathan-led government between 2010 and 2015.

NCA accused Diezani of accepting bribes during her time as Minister for Petroleum Resources in exchange for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts.

She was alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

Her charges also detailed financial rewards, including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.

Aliso-Madueke, who currently lives in St John’s Wood, London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday, October 2, 2023.

In August, the Head of the NCA’s International Corruption Unit (ICU), Andy Kelly, said “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million pound contracts.

“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.

“Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries. We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat.”