By Paul Joseph
Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has firmly denied all bribery allegations against her, telling a UK court that her lifestyle and expenses abroad were fully funded by Nigeria’s state oil company.
Testifying at Southwark Crown Court in London, the ex-minister insisted she never solicited or received bribes during her time in office, maintaining that all payments made on her behalf were official and reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.
“I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe,” she told the court, adding that she acted impartially throughout her tenure.
Prosecutors allege that wealthy Nigerian businessmen funded a lavish lifestyle for Alison-Madueke, including millions of pounds spent at luxury stores like Harrods and on high-end properties in London and Buckinghamshire.
However, she rejected the claims, explaining that her accommodation, travel, and logistics were handled as part of official duties. According to her, a London-based firm was engaged to manage these arrangements due to inefficiencies in government systems.
“They paid for my hotels and transportation so I could carry out my responsibilities,” she said.
The court also heard details of her stays in UK properties, including time spent in Gerrards Cross with her family during a period when her husband required medical attention. She said such arrangements were necessary and work-related.
Addressing claims about multiple luxury homes, Alison-Madueke stated that some were used for discreet official meetings, while others linked to her were not even habitable at the time.
She further dismissed allegations of a £100,000 cash delivery, insisting the money had “nothing to do with” her.
The former minister also spoke about the pressures she faced in office, describing Nigeria as a patriarchal society and revealing she lived under constant threats, including the alleged abduction of family members.
Alison-Madueke, who once served as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges and continues to contest the case alongside her co-defendants.
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