Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former petroleum minister, is alleged to have funded luxury spending in London with bribes from businessmen seeking oil contracts. She denies all charges
Toye Faleye, BBC
A London court heard that former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke went on “extravagant and excessive” shopping sprees, allegedly paid for with bribes from businessmen hoping to win government contracts.
Prosecutors at Southwark Crown Court say Alison-Madueke, who was Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015, received luxury goods and properties worth millions. They described this as “a life of luxury in the United Kingdom.” The 65-year-old denies five counts of accepting bribes and one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.
The court heard that in November 2013, Alison-Madueke visited Harrods with Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko and ordered thousands of pounds worth of designer rugs, including some by Alexander McQueen. Witnesses described her as “extremely glamorous” and wearing expensive clothes.
She often visited Vincenzo Cafferella, a decorative arts store in north London, where staff knew her as “Sharon D.” Between October 2012 and November 2013, Aluko is said to have spent over £370,000 on furniture and decorative items for her. She also shopped at Thomas Goode, a Mayfair china and silverware shop, often arriving with a group. Prosecutors say Alison-Madueke did not pay for these purchases herself. Instead, Aluko and other businessmen, whose energy companies got contracts with Nigeria’s state oil company, paid the bills.
The court also heard that luxury furniture was shipped from Houston, Texas, to London properties said to be linked to Alison-Madueke, including homes reportedly bought by businessman Benedict Peters. Her driver said he once picked up her and then-President Goodluck Jonathan from one of these addresses.
Other alleged spending included £89,410 for a private jet charter from Luton to Lagos in 2012, and a £100,000 cash delivery to her London apartment.
Evidence from Alison-Madueke’s seized phone included recorded conversations where she confronted Aluko about gifts and threatened to reveal details about oil mining leases. In one exchange, she reportedly said: “I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself… I will come out and tell the Nigerian people this is what happened.”
The court also heard that oil executive Igho Sanomi did errands for her, such as picking up Louis Vuitton hat boxes, and promised his “loyalty and commitment” in text messages. A few weeks after he showed his support, his company received a new oil mining lease.
Along with Alison-Madueke, her brother, former bishop Doye Agama, is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and is accused of receiving £1.2 million in payments from Peters. Industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde also faces bribery charges. Both men deny any wrongdoing.
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