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A former oil minister in Nigeria accepted bribes, including the use of multimillion-pound properties and “a life of luxury in the United Kingdom”, from industry figures interested in government contracts, a court in London has heard.<\/p>\n
Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, is alleged to have been provided with a chauffeur-driven car, travel by private jet, and \u00a3100,000 in cash.<\/p>\n
Other benefits she allegedly received included “vast quantities of luxury goods at Harrods and other high-end stores” and \u00a34.6m spent on refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire, the trial at Southwark Crown Court was told.<\/p>\n
She denies five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.<\/p>\n
Alison-Madueke was minister of petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-President Goodluck Jonathan.<\/p>\n
Jurors were told she lived some of the time in the UK where she was provided with a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner.<\/p>\n
The salaries and other running costs were paid for by the owners of energy companies who had lucrative contracts with the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the court was told.<\/p>\n
“This case is about bribery in relation to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria during the period 2011 to 2015,” said Alexandra Healy KC, prosecuting.<\/p>\n
“During that time those who were interested in the award and retention of lucrative oil and gas contracts with the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation or its subsidiaries the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company and the Pipelines Product Marketing Company, provided significant financial or other advantages to Alison-Madueke.”<\/p>\n
Healy added: “It might seem strange to be dealing here in the UK with a case that concerns bribery in relation to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.<\/p>\n
“We live in a global society. Bribery and corruption undermine the proper functioning of the global market.<\/p>\n
“There is an important public interest in ensuring that conduct in our country does not further corruption in another country.”<\/p>\n
Alison-Madueke sat in the dock besides oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who is charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.<\/p>\n
Alison-Madueke’s brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and joined the trial by video link for medical reasons.<\/p>\n
Ayinde and Agama also deny the charges against them.<\/p>\n
The trial \u2013 expected to last about 12 weeks – continues.<\/p>\n
Oil plays a significant role in Nigeria’s economy, but the population at large has not seen the benefits.<\/p>\n
It is one of the 13 members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), set up to deal with the worldwide supply of oil and its price.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n