The British police charged Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke on Tuesday with bribery offences, adding that they suspected she had received inducements in return for awarding Oil and gas contracts worth millions of dollars.
Alison-Madueke was petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
She also served as president of the Organsation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). British police said she was currently living in St John’s Wood, an upmarket area of west London.
Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit, Andy Kelly said “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.”
“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.”
The NCA added that Alison-Madueke had benefitted from at least £ 100,000 in cash, vehicular movements, flights on private jets, extravagant vacations for her family, and the use of several London properties.
The NCA detailed financial rewards including furniture, refurbishments and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and donations from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton personal effects.
Diezani has been accused of graft and corruption, allegations she has consistently denied. She is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2023.
