Ex-Nigerian oil minister denies taking bribes
Ex-Nigerian Oil Minister Denies Bribery Charges
A retired Nigerian oil minister, currently on trial for alleged corruption, has refuted claims that she accepted bribes in exchange for securing government contracts. Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, testified in Southwark Crown Court on Monday, asserting that she had always sought to combat corruption in Nigeria, a nation long associated with such practices since its colonial past.
Accusations of Lavish Spending
Prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke received extravagant accommodations and opulent expenditures in the UK, including over £2 million spent at Harrods and £4.6 million on home renovations. However, she claimed these costs were reimbursed by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), emphasizing that the logistics were managed by a London-based firm to streamline operations.
“I can confidently say that I never requested, accepted, or received a bribe from any individuals, nor did I misuse my position,” Alison-Madueke stated in court. “I was always committed to impartial decision-making.”
She further explained that the expenses incurred during her tenure were fully covered by the NNPC, and the service company was established to handle the administrative details. “They covered my hotel stays, chauffeur services, and other necessities so I could focus on my responsibilities,” she added.
Personal Accounts and Disputes
The court heard that Alison-Madueke and her family stayed in two apartments in St John’s Wood, with rent paid by Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko. She argued that this arrangement was more economical than paying for high-end hotel suites, which cost £2,000 per night. Despite this, she was unaware that one of her drivers handed over £100,000 in cash, which she claims had no connection to her actions.
During a previous hearing, Alison-Madueke described her Christmas 2011 stay in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, as a result of her ex-husband’s hospital treatment. She insisted she was not involved in organizing the trip. A second visit, spanning two weeks, coincided with a book-writing project she spearheaded to highlight the Nigerian president’s support for women’s initiatives.
Professional Background
Alison-Madueke’s career trajectory included a swift rise at Shell, where she became the first senior female executive in the company’s Nigerian operations. She acknowledged her discomfort with working for Shell due to its treatment of her father, a former employee who had fought legal battles against the firm for alleged apartheid-like practices in the Niger Delta.
She also recounted her role in the 2015 election as the first woman to lead the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a group that sets oil market policies. During her time at Shell, she noted the company struggled with environmental issues in the Niger Delta, which she believed had not been adequately addressed.
Security Threats and Family Involvement
Alison-Madueke described the challenges of being a woman in leadership in Nigeria, citing a “patriarchal society” as a source of security threats. She claimed to have faced severe risks of kidnapping and that members of her family had been detained. These experiences, she said, influenced her approach to public service.
Meanwhile, her brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, is also on trial, denying involvement in the alleged corruption. Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, another defendant, faces charges of bribery and conspiring to bribe a foreign official. Alison-Madueke’s case continues with five counts of accepting bribes and one of conspiracy to commit them.
