According to a report from Reuters, British law enforcement announced on Tuesday that they have formally charged former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, with bribery-related offenses.
The charges are rooted in suspicions that she accepted bribes in exchange for awarding substantial oil and gas contracts worth millions of pounds. Alison-Madueke, aged 63, held a prominent role in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, serving as the Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015. Additionally, she assumed the presidency of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The British authorities stated that they suspect Alison-Madueke abused her authority in Nigeria to gain financial advantages through the allocation of multi-million-pound contracts. These charges mark a significant development in a comprehensive and intricate international investigation, as noted by Andy Kelly, the Head of the National Crime Agency’s International Corruption Unit.
It is alleged that Alison-Madueke benefited from a range of privileges including cash amounting to at least £100,000, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights, luxurious family vacations, and the utilization of multiple London properties.
The charges also outline additional financial gains such as furnishings, property renovations, staff for the properties, private school tuition payments, and gifts from high-end designer boutiques such as Cartier and Louis Vuitton.
At present, Alison-Madueke resides in the upscale St John’s Wood area of West London. She is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2023.
It’s important to mention that Alison-Madueke has been under scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since her departure from office. Despite persistent corruption allegations, she denies the charges.
In a separate legal matter, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favor of the final forfeiture of two Abuja properties and two luxury cars owned by Alison-Madueke, valued at $2,674,418 and N380 million, respectively.
Furthermore, in May 2023, Alison-Madueke filed a lawsuit against the EFCC and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, claiming false accusations and a malicious attempt to damage her reputation. She sought damages of N100 million and demanded a public apology.
These charges and legal battles come after the EFCC’s previous claims of tracing substantial amounts of money to Alison-Madueke’s accounts and assets, including houses and jewelry.
Alison-Madueke left Nigeria shortly after her term as Minister of Petroleum Resources ended in 2015, and she states that her departure was prompted by a need for critical cancer treatment in England.
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