Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, is facing trial in London for allegedly accepting bribes and living a life of luxury funded by oil industry figures.
Prosecutors claim she spent £140,000 in a single day on high-end furniture, bespoke lighting, and decorative art at a London antiques store.
The 65-year-old, who served as OPEC president from 2014 to 2015, is accused of receiving £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, and luxury goods from Harrods and Louis Vuitton. Her co-defendants, brother Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, also face bribery charges.
Alison-Madueke’s defense team argues that the trial is unfair, claiming the UK and Nigerian governments have withheld crucial documents. They maintain that expenses were legitimate and reimbursed from Nigeria.
The trial continues at Southwark Crown Court, with implications for accountability in the global energy industry.
