Diezani Alison-Madueke Appears In London Court For £100,000 Bribery Trial

Former Nigerian Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday for the preliminary hearing in her bribery trial.

Alison-Madueke, who served as minister from 2010 to 2015, was Nigeria’s first female oil minister and also the first woman to lead OPEC, the global oil organisation.

The case was listed in Court 8 before Justice Thornton, and the hearing was a preliminary step before the full trial, which is set to begin on January 26, 2026.

This week’s proceedings included initial legal matters and the start of jury selection, with Alison-Madueke in attendance.

The 65-year-old has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015. She has denied all six charges against her.

In 2023, the UK’s National Crime Agency formally charged her with accepting bribes while in office between 2011 and 2015.

At the time, the NCA said it believed she used her position to award major contracts in exchange for money and other benefits.

“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” the NCA said at the time.

The indictment claims she received at least £100,000 in cash, as well as luxury perks including chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, and access to multiple London properties.

It also listed other benefits such as furniture, renovation work, staff support for the properties, payment of private school fees, and luxury gifts from brands like Louis Vuitton.

The trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, and is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.

Two other people are also facing bribery charges in connection with the case.

Doye Agama appeared by video link on Monday, while Olatimbo Ayinde was in the dock at court.

KanyiDaily recalls that Diezani’s ex-husband, Admiral Alison Amaechina Madueke, filed a petition against his ex-wife, warning her against using his name.