Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources and ex-OPEC president, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday appeared before a London court as preliminary proceedings commenced ahead of her full trial on bribery-related charges.
The initial court session focused on technical matters, including jury selection, with Alison-Madueke present in court.
The trial is connected to allegations of corruption during her tenure as Nigeria’s oil minister between 2010 and 2015.
Alison-Madueke, 65, made history as Nigeria’s first female oil minister and also became the first woman to serve as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
She has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has consistently denied all six charges brought against her.
The former minister was formally charged in 2023 by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), which accused her of accepting bribes over a four-year period while in office.
At the time of filing the charges, the NCA said it believed Alison-Madueke had abused her position by receiving financial incentives in exchange for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts worth millions of pounds.
According to court documents, the alleged benefits include at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights and access to several London properties.
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The indictment also lists luxury items such as designer furniture, home renovations, domestic staff, private school fees and high-end gifts from brands including Louis Vuitton.
The substantive trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, and is expected to run for between 10 and 12 weeks.
Two other defendants, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also facing bribery charges in connection with the case. Agama appeared in court via video link, while Ayinde was present in person.
The case is being prosecuted by the UK’s National Crime Agency.