BREAKING: Alison-Madueke arraigned in London court over bribery charges (photo)
Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, arrived in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London late Monday morning, October 2, 2023, to answer charges.
Bribery charges
The United Kingdom (UK) government charged her in court on August 22 for an alleged £100,000 bribe. The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom suspected Diezani of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts.
According to Reuters, British authorities suspect she accepted bribes in exchange for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts.
“We believe Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her position in Nigeria by accepting financial incentives for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.”
“These charges are a watershed moment in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation,” said Andy Kelly, the National Crime Agency’s International Corruption Unit’s Head.
According to the NCA, Alison-Madueke received at least 100,000 pounds in cash, chauffeured automobiles, private jet flights, luxury vacations for her family, and the use of various London apartments.
According to the NCA, the charges against her include describe financial benefits such as furnishings, restoration work and personnel for the residences, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end brand shops such as Cartier jewelry and Louis Vuitton products.
According to British authorities, she is presently residing in St John’s Wood, an affluent district of West London.
Alison-Madueke, 63, was a significant member in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet, serving as Petroleum Resources Minister from 2010 to 2015.
She also presided over the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
The former powerful minister is also under investigation by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In October 2022, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Alison-Madueke’s two Abuja residences and two luxury cars to be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The two properties, valued at $2,674,418 and N380m, are located at Plot 1854 Mohammed Mahashir Street and No. 6, Aso Drive in Abuja’s upmarket Asokoro and Maitama Districts, respectively.
A black BMW saloon with chassis number B8CV54V66629 and registration number RBC155 DH and a black Jaguar saloon with chassis number SAJAA.20 GRDMv43376, both valued at N36m, are among the premium vehicles.
The judge issued the order forfeiting the assets to the Federal Government while ruling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s motion for final forfeiture of the assets in suits No. 1122/2021 and No. 1123/2021.