The corruption trial of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, continued, yesterday, in London court, as prosecutors said they were tracing what they described as a wider financial trail of benefits flowing through intermediaries.

Proceedings at Southwark Crown Court shifted focus to a construction contractor linked to high-end London homes.

The 65-year-old is accused of multiple bribery counts stemming from years-long investigation.

The alleged offences occurred between 2011 and 2015, when she was oil minister but maintained a UK address.

The UK National Crime Agency, NCA, which targets international and serious and organised crime, has accused her of receiving the bribes in Britain.

Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting “financial or other advantages” from individuals linked to the Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical groups.

Both companies secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, or its subsidiaries, according to the prosecution.

The former minister is also said to have received £100,000 ($137,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, a private jet flight to Nigeria and refurbishment work and staff costs at several London properties.

Other counts allege she received school fees for her son, products from high-end shops such as London’s Harrods department store and Louis Vuitton, and further private jet flights.

President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, between 2014 and 2015, Alison-Madueke has been involved in numerous legal cases around the world, including in the United States.

She has been on bail in Britain since she was first arrested in October 2015. In 2023, she was formally charged with accepting bribes, which she has denied.

Two others, Doye Agama, her brother, and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also being prosecuted on bribery charges linked to the case. All three defendants had a British address at the time of the alleged offences, according to the prosecution. (Vanguard)

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