By Our Reporter
British prosecutors have told a London court that Nigerian oil businessmen allegedly bankrolled the luxury lifestyle of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in exchange for access to lucrative oil contracts in Nigeria.
At the Southwark Crown Court, prosecutors said founders of energy companies with contracts from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) paid for the running costs of properties used by Alison-Madueke in the United Kingdom.
They also allegedly covered the salaries of her domestic staff, including a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner.
Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, on a five-count charge bordering on accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods and use of high-end properties. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Addressing the jury, prosecutor Alexandra Healy said the former minister “enjoyed a life of luxury in London” funded by individuals seeking to secure or protect oil contracts in Nigeria.
The court heard that Kolawole Aluko, a Nigerian petroleum and aviation magnate named in one of the charges but not standing trial, allegedly spent more than £2 million on luxury items for Alison-Madueke at Harrods.
Prosecutors said Alison-Madueke had a personal shopper at the department store and used payment cards belonging to Aluko and his company, Tenka Limited. Jurors were told that Harrods’ personal shopper service is reserved for customers who spend more than £10,000 annually.
The court also heard that Alison-Madueke and her family frequently stayed in a mansion outside London purchased by Aluko through a company for £3.25 million, with Aluko allegedly paying the property’s bills, staff salaries and refurbishment costs.
While prosecutors said there was no evidence that Alison-Madueke awarded contracts to companies that did not merit them, they maintained that it was improper for a serving minister to accept benefits from individuals doing business with government-owned entities.
Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan and was elected President of OPEC in 2014.