By SUNTV Global Channel | January 26, 2026
A London court has formally opened the long-anticipated corruption trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources and ex-OPEC president, Diezani Alison-Madueke, marking a major milestone in a case that has lingered for nearly a decade.
Alison-Madueke, 65, appeared before the court on Monday as preliminary proceedings began, including jury selection and technical matters. The substantive trial, expected to span 10 to 12 weeks, will involve extensive testimony and the examination of financial records, property dealings, and other evidence linked to alleged bribery.
The former minister, who served under the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010 and 2015, is facing six counts of bribery relating to her time overseeing Nigeria’s powerful and lucrative oil sector. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
British prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke accepted bribes between 2011 and 2015, abusing her position to influence the award of multi-million-pound oil contracts. According to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), she is accused of receiving at least £100,000 in cash, along with a range of luxury benefits.
These alleged perks include chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, stays in high-end London properties, luxury furniture, property renovations, household staff services, private school fees, and designer items from brands such as Louis Vuitton.
At the time charges were filed in 2023, the NCA stated that investigators suspected Alison-Madueke of “abusing her power in Nigeria and accepting financial rewards for awarding lucrative oil contracts.”
Alison-Madueke holds a prominent place in Nigeria’s political history as the first woman to serve as petroleum minister and the first female president of OPEC. However, her tenure has remained overshadowed by persistent corruption allegations since she left office in 2015.
She was first arrested by British authorities in October 2015 and has remained on bail while investigations continued.
Two other defendants, Doye Agama—who appeared via video link—and Olatimbo Ayinde, who was physically present in court, are also standing trial on related bribery charges.
As proceedings unfold in London, the case is once again drawing international attention, with significant implications for global anti-corruption efforts and accountability in Nigeria’s oil sector.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to follow and report developments from the trial.
