Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday told a United Kingdom court that she neither solicited nor received bribes while in office.
Naija News reports that testifying before the Southwark Crown Court, the former minister maintained that all expenses incurred on her behalf in London were official and reimbursed by the Nigerian government.
“I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort from these persons and did not abuse my office,” she said, adding, “I always sought to act impartially.”
Prosecutors, however, alleged that Nigerian businessmen financed a series of luxury expenses for Alison-Madueke during her tenure.
According to reports, the alleged spending included over £2 million at Harrods and about £4.6 million used to refurbish properties in London and Buckinghamshire.
The court also heard claims that she had access to several high-value properties, including residences in Marylebone and homes overlooking Regent’s Park.
‘Expenses Were Official’
Responding to the allegations, Alison-Madueke insisted that all arrangements were tied strictly to her official duties.
She explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) reimbursed the costs and that a London-based firm was engaged to manage her travel and accommodation due to inefficiencies in official logistics.
“They paid for all my hotels, chauffeurs… to allow me to perform the job that I did,” she told the court.
The former minister also addressed questions surrounding her stay at a property in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.
She said she spent five days there during Christmas 2011 with her family because her former husband required medical attention and could not return to Nigeria.
Alison-Madueke added that she later spent two weeks at the same location working with officials on a publication highlighting the Nigerian president’s support for women.
“I took it upon myself to put together that book to showcase what he did for women,” she said.
On allegations regarding other properties, she explained that a residence near Regent’s Park was used for “discreet” official meetings.
She also dismissed claims about another property linked to her, stating that it was “completely gutted” and uninhabitable at the time she saw it.
The court further heard that Alison-Madueke and her mother stayed in apartments in St John’s Wood, with rent allegedly paid by Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko.
She defended the arrangement, saying it was more economical than staying in high-end hotels such as the Savoy or Dorchester, which she said charged about £2,000 per night.
She also denied knowledge of a reported £100,000 cash delivery by one of her chauffeurs, insisting that the money had “nothing to do with” her.
‘I Faced Threats In Office’
Speaking on her time in office, Alison-Madueke described the challenges she faced, noting that Nigeria is a “very patriarchal society.”
She said she was subjected to “dire threats of kidnap,” adding that some of her family members were allegedly abducted during the period.
Naija News reports that Alison-Madueke, who became the first female president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in 2015, is facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
She is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, who are also facing related charges.
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty, with proceedings expected to continue.