LONDON, England — The United Kingdom National Crime Agency, NCA, announced on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, that Diezani Alison-Madueke, former president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, and ex-Nigeria oil minister, has been charged with bribery offences.
These allegations relate to her tenure as Nigeria’s key figure in oil and energy policy.
Alison-Madueke, aged 63, who was first apprehended in London in October 2015, remains on bail and is scheduled for a court appearance on October 2.
The accusations against Alison-Madueke have been a contentious topic ever since her initial arrest, with her family’s lawyer vehemently refuting the corruption claims that haunted her throughout, and even after, her service in former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Serving as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015, Alison-Madueke broke barriers as the first female both in that position in Nigeria and as the president of OPEC, the global oil organization.
Andy Kelly, chief of the NCA’s international corruption unit, asserted, “Diezani Alison-Madueke is suspected to have exploited her authoritative position in Nigeria, receiving financial kickbacks in exchange for granting multi-million pound contracts.”
According to the NCA, the alleged rewards reaped by Alison-Madueke include a staggering sum of at least £100,000 ($127,000) in cash, and luxurious benefits such as chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet travels, lavish holidays, and usage of several high-end London estates.
The list of alleged financial gains doesn’t end there: top-of-the-line furniture, property renovations, private school fees, and extravagant gifts from elite brands such as Cartier and Louis Vuitton have also been outlined in the charges.
Highlighting the magnitude of such corrupt practices, Kelly remarked, “Bribery isn’t merely a corruption form; it spurs grave criminal activities and can wreak havoc on developing nations.”
Commending the rigor and extent of the investigation, he said, “These charges are significant, culminating from an intricate and extensive global investigation.”
Since her arrest, Alison-Madueke has resided in the elite St John’s Wood neighbourhood in north London.
Reports from her family indicate she has been receiving chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
Following her 2015 arrest, the NCA had only mentioned detaining five individuals over suspicions of international corruption, without disclosing their identities.
Later, the government under President Muhammadu Buhari – who assumed office succeeding Jonathan – confirmed Alison-Madueke’s detention and expressed collaboration between Nigerian law enforcement and British agencies.
Former Army General Buhari has been known for his stringent anti-corruption measures.
Assets connected to the case, valued in the millions of pounds, are currently frozen, the NCA reported.
Earlier in March, the agency also aided the US Department of Justice in reclaiming assets amounting to $53.1 million associated with Alison-Madueke’s purported malfeasance.
