Ex-Nigerian Oil Minister Denies Bribery Charges in UK Court
Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Nigerian oil minister, has denied charges of bribery and conspiracy at Southwark Crown Court in London. Prosecutors allege she accepted luxury accommodations, including homes in Buckinghamshire and London, and lavish spending sprees funded by Nigerian businessmen in exchange for government contracts. Specific allegations include £4.6 million in home renovations and over £2 million spent at Harrods. Alison-Madueke testified that she never asked for or received bribes, asserting that all expenses were reimbursed by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to facilitate her official duties amidst logistical challenges. She described using certain properties for discreet official meetings and claimed that staying in businessman-funded apartments was more cost-effective than expensive hotels. The defendant also highlighted her efforts to combat corruption and her security concerns as a high-profile female official in Nigeria. She faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. The trial continues with testimony regarding her tenure and interactions with industry figures.
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Ex-Nigerian Oil Minister Denies Bribery Charges in UK Court
Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Nigerian oil minister, has denied charges of bribery and conspiracy at Southwark Crown Court in London. Prosecutors allege she accepted luxury accommodations, including homes in Buckinghamshire and London, and lavish spending sprees funded by Nigerian businessmen in exchange for government contracts. Specific allegations include £4.6 million in home renovations and over £2 million spent at Harrods. Alison-Madueke testified that she never asked for or received bribes, asserting that all expenses were reimbursed by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to facilitate her official duties amidst logistical challenges. She described using certain properties for discreet official meetings and claimed that staying in businessman-funded apartments was more cost-effective than expensive hotels. The defendant also highlighted her efforts to combat corruption and her security concerns as a high-profile female official in Nigeria. She faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. The trial continues with testimony regarding her tenure and interactions with industry figures.
BBC News