Ex-Nigerian oil minister denies taking bribes

Ex-Nigerian Oil Minister Denies Taking Bribes

A former Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, has denied allegations of accepting bribes, asserting that the opulent accommodations and extravagant expenditures in the UK were not tied to any financial misconduct. She appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Monday to refute claims that she sought or received bribes in exchange for awarding government contracts.

Accusations and Repayment Claims

Prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke was provided with multiple high-value properties and spent over £2 million at luxury retailer Harrods, along with £4.6 million on home renovations. However, she insisted that all costs incurred during her official visits were later covered by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). “I can confirm that I never asked for, took, or accepted a bribe from anyone,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to impartiality in her role.

“I always sought to act impartially,” Alison-Madueke said, defending her conduct during the proceedings.

She explained that a separate London-based service firm was established to manage the logistics of her stays, as the NNPC’s financial systems were reportedly unstable. “They paid for my hotels, chauffeurs, and other expenses to ensure I could fulfill my duties effectively,” she added.

Christmas Stay and Book Project

The court learned that Alison-Madueke and her family stayed for five days in a Buckinghamshire home in December 2011 due to her ex-husband’s hospitalization. She claimed she had no role in arranging the stay. A second visit, lasting over two weeks, involved her and 10 to 12 officials collaborating on a book celebrating the Nigerian president’s support for women. “I initiated that project to highlight his contributions to gender equality,” she said.

Alison-Madueke also noted that a Regent’s Park property, used for discreet meetings, was “completely gutted” and not functional when she viewed it. She disputed the claim that it was used for personal gain.

Family Involvement and Security Concerns

The prosecution highlighted that Alison-Madueke and her mother resided in St John’s Wood apartments, with rent paid by Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko. She argued that this arrangement was more cost-effective than hiring expensive hotel suites, such as those at the Savoy or Dorchester, for extended stays.

“I suggested this was cheaper than continuing to rent high-end hotel suites,” she explained, addressing the financial rationale behind the accommodations.

Alison-Madueke also mentioned being unaware that a chauffeur had delivered £100,000 in cash to her, describing the transaction as unrelated to her decisions. She cited Nigeria’s patriarchal nature as a reason for the threats she faced, including kidnappings of her family members.

Professional Journey and Opec Role

Before her political career, Alison-Madueke rose through Shell’s ranks, becoming the first senior female executive in its Nigerian operations. Despite her personal reservations about the company due to its treatment of her father—a former tribal leader who had sued Shell for apartheid-like practices in the Niger Delta—she accepted the position. “Shell was struggling with oil spills in my home region, and I believed they hadn’t adequately addressed the damage,” she stated.

In 2015, she was elected the first female head of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a pivotal role in global oil policy. Her current charges include five counts of accepting bribes and one of conspiring to do so. Meanwhile, her brother, former Archbishop Doye Agama, 69, also faces accusations in the case.