April 16, 2026 | News
A United Kingdom court is set to deliver a verdict in the high-profile bribery trial involving Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the coming days.
The case, being heard at the Southwark Crown Court, has attracted widespread attention in both Nigeria and internationally due to the scale of the allegations and Alison-Madueke’s influential role in the country’s oil sector.
During proceedings, Alison-Madueke denied multiple counts of bribery and conspiracy, maintaining that she had limited authority during her time in office.
“I was a rubber stamp,” she told the court, rejecting claims that she engaged in corrupt practices.
A correspondent monitoring the trial in London reported that the case has entered its final phase, with the judge presenting issues to the jury, which is now expected to deliver a decision within days.
Prosecutors have alleged that Alison-Madueke received financial and material benefits from individuals linked to oil firms, including Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical, in exchange for securing lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now known as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
According to the prosecution, the alleged benefits included £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet travel, and the refurbishment of multiple London properties.
The court also heard testimony regarding luxury spending allegedly tied to the former minister, including high-value purchases from premium retailers and stays at upscale hotels such as The Savoy, The Dorchester, and Corinthia London.
While the defence did not deny the purchases, it argued that the context and legitimacy of the transactions would be clarified.
Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside her brother, Doye Agama, and oil executive Ayinde Olatimbo Bukola, who are also facing related charges. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The former minister, who once served as President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has faced multiple investigations across different jurisdictions since leaving office. She has been on bail in the UK since her arrest in 2015 and was formally charged in 2023.
With the jury now deliberating, a verdict in the closely watched case is expected soon.
