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Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, lavished more than £2m (N4bn) at Harrods with funds provided by oil executives who benefited from lucrative contracts, according to British prosecutors on Wednesday.
The prosecution told a London court that the founders of energy companies awarded major contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited paid the running costs of Alison-Madueke’s UK residence, and covered the salaries of her domestic staff.
The court heard that the payments included wages for a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner at the former minister’s property.
The above benefits were part of a wider pattern of inducements allegedly offered in exchange for favourable treatment on oil and gas contracts, the prosecutors added.
Alison-Madueke is being tried at Southwark Crown Court on five counts relating to the acceptance of bribes in the form of luxury goods and the use of high-end properties owned by oil industry figures.
The former President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery.
The jurors heard that Alison-Madueke maintained a lavish lifestyle in the United Kingdom, with the use of a personal shopper at Harrods, a service available only to Black Tier Rewards members who spend more than £10,000 annually.
The court further heard that more than £2m was spent on Alison-Madueke’s behalf at the Brompton Road store, where purchases were made with the use of payment cards linked to Kolawole Aluko and the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited.
The prosecutor said, “She was provided with a life of luxury in the United Kingdom,” adding that Alison-Madueke allegedly enjoyed the use of multimillion-pound properties, a chauffeur-driven car, private jet travel and £100,000 in cash.
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About £4.6m was allegedly spent refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire, allegedly linked to her use.
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC said, “This case is about bribery in relation to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria between 2011 and 2015.
“Those interested in the award and retention of lucrative oil and gas contracts provided significant financial and other advantages to Alison-Madueke.
“There is a strong public interest in ensuring that conduct in this country does not further corruption in another country.”
Photographs of a Buckinghamshire property known as The Falls, bought in 2010 by Nigerian businessman Olajide Omokore, owner of Atlantic Energy, were shown to jurors.
The prosecution informed the court that from late 2011, Alison-Madueke allegedly had exclusive use of the property, which included a cinema room.
The former minister stayed at the property several times, and the costs, which included about £300,000 in refurbishments, were allegedly paid by Tenka Limited.
The court heard that between May 2011 and January 2014, about £500,000 was paid in rent for two flats in central London occupied by Alison-Madueke and her mother.
According to company records, the bills were settled by Tenka.
