Diezani Alison-Madueke Pleads Not Guilty In London As Defence Denies ‘Luxury Bribes’ Allegations

Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Thursday pleaded not guilty before a London court to five counts of accepting bribes and one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, as her long-running corruption trial opened at the Southwark Crown Court.
Prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke lived “a life of luxury” in London, claiming that figures within the oil and gas industry provided her with access to high-end properties and showered her with expensive gifts in a bid to influence the award of lucrative oil contracts.
However, her defence counsel, Jonathan Laidlaw, rejected the allegations, telling the jury that any purchases made on Alison-Madueke’s behalf were necessitated by Nigerian regulations that prohibit serving ministers from operating foreign bank accounts.
Laidlaw further argued that Alison-Madueke, 65, disputes both the scale of the properties allegedly placed at her disposal and the value of the goods she is said to have received. He maintained that all personal expenses incurred on her behalf were fully reimbursed by her in Nigeria, while costs related to official duties were refunded through government channels.
According to the defence, these arrangements meant Alison-Madueke derived no personal financial benefit, directly challenging the prosecution’s claim that she gained from illicit inducements while in office.