Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has denied allegations of bribery and corruption during her tenure in office, telling a UK court that she did not solicit or receive illicit payments and that her lifestyle and official expenditures in the United Kingdom were funded through legitimate government channels.
The 65-year-old former minister gave testimony at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday as part of her defence in a trial in which she faces multiple charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery linked to her time in office between 2010 and 2015.
Alison-Madueke told the court that she acted in good faith while serving as Nigeria’s petroleum minister and rejected claims that she abused her position for personal enrichment, insisting that major decisions in the oil sector were handled by established institutional processes.
She stated that she did not request, seek or accept bribes from oil industry actors and argued that her role in contract approvals was largely administrative, describing herself as someone who often relied on recommendations from relevant committees within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
During her testimony, she also addressed allegations concerning luxury accommodation and services in the United Kingdom, including claims that she benefited from high-end properties, chauffeured transport and other expenses allegedly linked to corrupt payments.
She maintained that all such costs were official expenditures tied to her ministerial responsibilities and were properly reimbursed through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, which she described as responsible for handling financial arrangements connected to her overseas duties.
The former minister further claimed that a service arrangement was created in London to manage logistics because of what she described as inefficiencies in the NNPC financial system at the time, arguing that this justified alternative administrative arrangements for official travel and accommodation.
Prosecutors, however, have alleged that Alison-Madueke received substantial personal benefits including luxury properties, expensive renovations and high-value shopping expenses, all allegedly provided in exchange for favourable decisions in oil contract awards.
The court also heard allegations that significant cash payments were made through intermediaries, including a claim involving a large sum delivered by a chauffeur, which the former minister denied knowledge of, insisting it was unrelated to her.
Alison-Madueke rejected accusations that she influenced the award of oil contracts for personal gain, stating that decision making processes were conducted by committees and senior officials within the national oil company structure.
She is currently standing trial on five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, charges she has consistently denied alongside her co-defendants.
Her co-defendants, including an oil executive and a family member, have also pleaded not guilty, and the trial has continued with both prosecution and defence presenting extensive evidence before the court.
The case, which began in January 2026, has drawn significant attention both in Nigeria and internationally due to the prominence of the defendant and the scale of allegations linked to the country’s oil industry.
Observers note that the prosecution has presented evidence over several months, while the defence phase has now begun with the former minister’s testimony forming a central part of proceedings.
The court has been informed that the trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with a possible verdict anticipated later in April 2026 depending on the pace of proceedings and completion of arguments.
The allegations against Alison-Madueke have long been the subject of public debate in Nigeria, where questions about governance in the oil sector and accountability of public officials remain politically sensitive.
As proceedings continue, the court is expected to evaluate documentary evidence, witness statements and financial records presented by both sides before reaching a final determination on the charges.
The outcome of the case is being closely watched due to its implications for international anti corruption enforcement and the perception of accountability among high ranking public officials.
Legal analysts suggest that the defence strategy will focus on challenging the interpretation of financial records and asserting that expenditures were official rather than personal in nature.
The prosecution, meanwhile, is expected to continue arguing that benefits received by the defendant were linked to improper influence over oil sector contracts and decisions.
The trial remains ongoing at Southwark Crown Court where judicial proceedings are being conducted under UK legal standards governing serious financial crime cases involving foreign public officials.
The court has not yet indicated when final submissions will conclude, but both sides are expected to present further arguments before closing stages begin.
Alison-Madueke continues to maintain her innocence as the trial progresses, insisting that she carried out her duties in accordance with the law and without engaging in corrupt practices.
The case remains one of the most closely followed corruption trials involving a former African government minister in recent years.
Legal observers have also noted that the ongoing proceedings are being closely monitored due to their potential implications for international cooperation in financial crime prosecutions involving politically exposed persons. The case has been cited in discussions around strengthening compliance frameworks within the global oil and gas industry, particularly in relation to transparency in contract awards and oversight mechanisms in state owned enterprises. Analysts further suggest that the defence arguments may influence how courts assess the distinction between official expenditure and personal benefit in complex government financing structures, especially where overseas operational arrangements are involved.
The trial is expected to remain a focal point in both Nigerian and international media as it progresses toward its final stages, with legal teams on both sides preparing for detailed cross examination and final submissions. Court officials have indicated that proceedings will continue in accordance with established schedules, and no date has yet been fixed for judgment. The outcome is anticipated to contribute to broader debates on accountability in public office and the enforcement of anti corruption laws across jurisdictions.
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