Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria's former oil minister, is facing charges of bribery in the United Kingdom. She is alleged to have accepted financial inducements in exchange
for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts. A significant figure in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Alison-Madueke also held the distinction of being the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Currently 63 years old, Alison-Madueke has consistently denied the corruption allegations leveled against her. Her arrest took place in London in 2015, after which she was released on bail. Assets amounting to millions of pounds associated with the alleged offenses have been frozen as part of an ongoing investigation by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA).
Andy Kelly, a representative from the NCA's International Corruption Unit, stated, "These charges are a significant step in what has been a comprehensive and intricate international inquiry."
According to the NCA, during her tenure as oil minister from 2010 to 2015, Alison-Madueke is accused of deriving benefits from various sources, including:
At least £100,000 ($127,000) in cash
Chauffeur-driven cars
Private jet flights
Opulent family vacations
Utilization of multiple London properties
Furnishings, refurbishments, and staff for the properties
Payment of private school fees
Gifts from high-end retailers like Cartier and Louis Vuitton.
The US Department of Justice, with assistance from the NCA, was able to recover $53.1 million in assets linked to Alison-Madueke's alleged corruption. The NCA also highlighted its close collaboration with Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In recent times, the EFCC had reported the recovery of approximately $153 million and more than 80 properties associated with Alison-Madueke's involvement in government. She held various ministerial positions before assuming the role of oil minister.
Alison-Madueke, currently residing in London's St John's Wood area, is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on October 2, as per the NCA's statement.
Nigeria, despite being a significant oil producer, has struggled to equitably distribute the wealth generated from its oil resources among its sizable population of over 225 million individuals. The country is a member of OPEC, an international organization focused on global oil supply and pricing. Photo by World Economic Forum, Wikimedia commons.