The high-profile corruption trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke
took a dramatic turn this Monday at Southwark Crown Court, as the defendant personally took the stand to deny all allegations of bribery and abuse of office.
Facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy, Alison-Madueke told the court she “never asked for or accepted bribes,” insisting that she is being unfairly targeted in a case that has drawn intense international attention.
Opening her defence, Alison-Madueke portrayed herself as a scapegoat, arguing that many of the benefits cited by prosecutors – including accommodation, transport, and travel – were official provisions tied to her role as Nigeria’s oil minister between 2010 and 2015. She further suggested that gender bias and political dynamics contributed to her prosecution.
Her testimony marks a critical juncture in proceedings that began in January 2026, after months of prosecution arguments depicting a vastly different narrative.
Prosecutors allege that during her tenure under former president Goodluck Jonathan, Alison-Madueke leveraged her powerful position to secure lavish benefits from oil businessmen in exchange for awarding lucrative contracts.
According to the prosecution, these benefits included:
• Access to high-end London properties
• Chauffeur-driven vehicles and private jet travel
• Extensive luxury shopping, including approximately £2 million spent at Harrods
Financial records and witness testimonies presented in court aim to establish a pattern of “bribery for contracts,” with some witnesses testifying remotely from Nigeria.
Alison-Madueke’s fall from power traces back to the aftermath of the 2015 Nigerian elections:
• 2015: Leaves office following the electoral defeat of the Jonathan administration.
• October 2015: Arrested in London by the UK’s National Crime Agency on suspicion of corruption-related offences.
• 2017–2023: Assets linked to her are seized or targeted in forfeiture proceedings across multiple jurisdictions, including the United States and Nigeria.
• 2023: Formally charged in the UK with bribery offences.
• January 2026: Trial opens at Southwark Crown Court.
• April 2026: Defence begins, with Alison-Madueke testifying in her own case.
The trial is widely regarded as one of the most significant international corruption cases involving a Nigerian public official. It is being closely watched as a test of cross-border cooperation between UK and Nigerian authorities, particularly in tackling financial crimes tied to the oil sector.
Observers say the outcome could hinge on whether the court accepts the prosecution’s portrayal of a sustained bribery scheme or the defence’s claim that all benefits received were legitimate and properly accounted for.
With the defence now underway, the trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with further cross-examination and possible additional witnesses.
