Ex-Nigerian oil minister denies taking bribes

Ex-Nigerian Oil Minister Denies Bribery Allegations

A retired Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, has refuted claims that she accepted bribes in exchange for securing government contracts. During testimony in Southwark Crown Court, she asserted that the opulent accommodations and extravagant expenditures she received in the UK were fully covered by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). She described the perks as necessary for her official duties, emphasizing that she always aimed to act with fairness.

Accusations and Rebuttals

The prosecution alleges that Alison-Madueke benefited from £4.6 million in renovations of properties in London and Buckinghamshire, including a £2.8 million residence in Marylebone. She countered these claims by stating that the expenses were reimbursed through the NNPC, with a London-based firm handling logistical arrangements due to the company’s financial disarray. “These services were part of my role, and the state covered the costs,” she stated.

“I can confirm that I never requested, accepted, or received any form of bribe during my tenure. My actions were always guided by impartiality,” Alison-Madueke said.

Alison-Madueke also dismissed allegations of using a Buckinghamshire home for private meetings, claiming it was entirely renovated and left unused when she visited. She highlighted that her mother and she stayed in St John’s Wood apartments, which were funded by Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko. She argued this was more economical than paying for high-end hotel stays.

Personal and Professional Context

During her time at Shell, Alison-Madueke rose to prominence despite her reservations about the company’s practices. She recalled her father’s unsuccessful legal battle against Shell for alleged apartheid-like treatment in the Niger Delta, where oil spills caused environmental damage. “Shell failed to adequately address the harm they inflicted on my community,” she said.

“I found the job uncomfortable, but I believed it was a stepping stone for my career,” she testified.

Alison-Madueke also addressed security threats, noting that Nigeria’s patriarchal nature made her position as a female leader contentious. She mentioned being subjected to “dire kidnap threats” and that her family members were detained. Additionally, she shared that a chauffeur once handed her £100,000 in cash, which she insisted had no connection to her decisions.

Court Proceedings and Other Defendants

In 2015, Alison-Madueke became the first woman to lead the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a milestone she credited to her dedication. She faces five bribery charges and one count of conspiracy to accept bribes. Meanwhile, oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, denies one bribery charge and another related to foreign officials. Her brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, is also accused of involvement in the case.