A British court has heard allegations that Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, spent as much as £140,000 in a single day on luxury furniture and decorative art.
The case, currently before Southwark Crown Court in London, also involves oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama. The trio are facing five charges related to alleged bribery and have all pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors told the court that Alison-Madueke made lavish purchases at a London antiques shop, allegedly using third parties to process payments. The items reportedly included expensive furniture, custom lighting, and decorative artworks.
The proceedings attracted supporters from Nigeria’s Ijaw community, many of whom travelled to London to observe the trial.
Earlier sessions revealed claims that the former minister received bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high-end properties, allegedly provided by individuals seeking oil contracts in Nigeria. Prosecutor Alexandra Healy told jurors that Alison-Madueke “lived a luxurious lifestyle in London” funded by such benefactors.
Her defence lawyer, Jonathan Laidlaw, countered these claims, insisting that Alison-Madueke had little real authority over oil contract approvals and acted only as a “rubber stamp” on recommendations made by others.
The trial is ongoing as the court continues to scrutinise the alleged bribery scheme and claims of excessive spending linked to Nigeria’s oil sector.
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