A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has appeared before the Westminster Magistrate’s Court, London, over bribery offences.
This came in the heels of an investigation by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, which leads the country’s efforts to combat serious and organised crimes.
Diezani, 63, who also served as the president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, was a prominent figure in President Goodluck Jonathan’s government from 2010 to 2015.
The NCA alleges that Diezani accepted bribes during her tenure as the Minister for Petroleum Resources in exchange for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.
The charges specified that Diezani benefitted from various perks, including cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, luxury holidays, and the use of multiple London properties.
The rewards also encompassed financial benefits like furniture, renovation work, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops.
