Former Nigeria Oil Minister Diezani Madueke is currently facing a UK bribery trial as prosecutors claim millions were spent on luxury shopping, homes, and travel. A London court has heard allegations that millions of pounds were spent on luxury goods and properties for Madueke.
Prosecutors say the spending was part of an alleged bribery scheme involving oil companies seeking government contracts. The court was told that more than two million pounds was spent at Harrods on her behalf.
Prosecutors also claimed Madueke enjoyed a luxury lifestyle in the United Kingdom, including high end homes, chauffeur driven cars, private jet travel, and large cash payments. It was further alleged that about four point six million pounds was used to refurbish properties in London and Buckinghamshire.
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The court also heard that around five hundred thousand pounds was paid in rent for two flats in central London where Madueke and her mother lived. Madueke served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015.
She denies all charges, including accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery. Other defendants in the case, including an oil executive and her brother, have also pleaded not guilty.
The trial is expected to last about twelve weeks. Oil plays a major role in Nigeria’s economy, yet many citizens have not benefited from the country’s vast oil wealth, despite Nigeria being a member of Opec.
