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Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke on Monday opened her defence at Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom, categorically denying accepting bribes while in office in exchange for awarding lucrative government oil contracts.
Alison-Madueke, 65, who served as petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 under then-President Goodluck Jonathan, took the witness stand for the first time and told jurors she “did not abuse my office at all” and “did not ask, seek or solicit bribes.”
“I can state categorically at no time did I ask for, take, or seek a bribe or bribes of any sort from any of these persons,” she said.
She added that she “always sought to act impartially” in her role.
Alison-Madueke faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery under the UK Bribery Act.
Prosecutors allege she received financial advantages, including multimillion-pound properties in London, a £2 million ($2.7 million) Harrods shopping spree, private jets, a chauffeur-driven car and £100,000 ($135,000) in cash, from oil industry figures who stood to benefit from government contracts.
Alison-Madueke rejected the claims, describing her ministerial role as largely ceremonial and likening herself to a “rubber stamp” for decisions made by technical committees and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
She said any logistical support or payments for properties and travel were reimbursed through official channels in Nigeria or handled because Nigerian ministers were barred from holding foreign bank accounts.
The former She’ll executive told the court she had no prior knowledge of the alleged £100,000 cash delivery to her London residence by her chauffeur until it emerged in trial disclosures.
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She also argued that gift-giving and associate support are culturally common in Nigeria’s political system and blamed weak financial controls at the NNPC’s London office for some third-party arrangements.
Alison-Madueke further claimed Nigeria’s patriarchal and “misogynistic” environment had made her a scapegoat.
She said President Jonathan was aware of her use of a property in Gerrards Cross for discreet meetings.
Her lawyer, Jonathan Laidlaw KC, has previously told the jury that she had no real influence over contract awards and that payments made on her behalf were repaid in Nigeria.
Also standing trial are Alison-Madueke’s brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, and Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, an owner of Nigerian oil companies. Ayinde denies two bribery charges.
The National Crime Agency arrested Alison-Madueke and others in London in October 2015. She has been on bail in the UK since then.
The trial, which began in January 2026, is expected to conclude in April.
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has previously seized assets in Nigeria, the US and UK linked to the case.
