Former president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared in a London court on Monday ahead of her full trial on bribery charges linked to her tenure as Nigeria’s oil minister.
The court session marked the start of preliminary proceedings, including technical hearings and jury selection, with Alison-Madueke present in court.
Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015 and made history as the first woman to hold the position, as well as the first female president of OPEC.
The 65-year-old has remained on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has denied all six charges brought against her.
She was formally charged in 2023 by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) over allegations of accepting bribes between 2011 and 2015.
“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.
According to the indictment, Alison-Madueke allegedly received benefits valued at no less than £100,000 ($134,000), including cash payments, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights, and access to several London properties.
The charges further outlined additional benefits such as furniture purchases, renovation works, staffing for the properties, payment of private school fees, and luxury gifts from high-end designers, including Louis Vuitton.
The trial is scheduled to commence on Monday, January 26, and is expected to run for between 10 and 12 weeks.
Two other individuals are also facing prosecution in connection with the case. Doye Agama appeared in court on Monday via video link, while Olatimbo Ayinde was present in the dock to face bribery-related charges tied to the same matter.
