Diezani Alison-Madueke, ex-petroleum minister has denied allegations of bribery during her testimony before Southwark Crown court, insisting she never used public office for personal gain.
Appearing in court on Monday, the former minister rejected claims that she received luxury accommodation, lavish hospitality and other benefits during official trips to the United Kingdom.
“I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort… and did not abuse my office,” she told the court.
Prosecutors allege that several Nigerian businessmen paid expenses on her behalf, including more than £2 million spent at Harrods and about £4.6 million used to refurbish properties in London and Buckinghamshire.
Alison-Madueke, however, maintained that all services provided during official engagements were reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.
She explained that a logistics company had been set up in London to manage travel and accommodation because of delays in the corporation’s financial system at the time.
“They paid for all my hotels, chauffeurs… to allow me to perform the job that I did,” she said.
The court also heard claims that she stayed in several high-value properties, including a £2.8 million home in Marylebone and residences near Regent’s Park.
Responding to one allegation involving a Christmas stay in Gerrards Cross in 2011, she said the arrangement was made because her husband’s medical condition prevented immediate travel back to Nigeria.
She further denied knowledge of an alleged £100,000 cash delivery reportedly made by one of her chauffeurs, insisting the money had no connection to her.
During the hearing, Alison-Madueke also reflected on her career in the oil sector, including her rise at Shell, where she became the first female senior executive in its Nigerian operations.
She described Nigeria as a “very patriarchal society” and said she faced security threats while in office, including kidnapping attempts involving members of her family.
In 2015, she became the first female president of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC).
She is facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she denies. Also standing trial is Olatimbo Ayinde, oil executive who has denied separate bribery charges.
