British prosecutors have told a London court that former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, spent more than £2m (about N4bn) at the luxury department store Harrods, allegedly using funds supplied by oil executives who benefited from lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
At proceedings on Wednesday, prosecutors said founders of energy firms awarded major NNPC contracts also paid the running costs of Alison-Madueke’s UK residence and the salaries of her domestic staff. These expenses reportedly covered a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner.
The prosecution argued that the payments formed part of a broader pattern of inducements allegedly offered in exchange for favourable treatment in the award and retention of oil and gas contracts.
Alison-Madueke, a former president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court on five counts related to accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods and the use of high-end properties owned by oil industry figures. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery.
Jurors were told that the former minister maintained a lavish lifestyle in the United Kingdom, including access to a personal shopper at Harrods—a service reserved for top-tier customers who spend at least £10,000 annually. Prosecutors alleged that more than £2m was spent on her behalf at the store, with several purchases made using cards linked to Kolawole Aluko and the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited.
“She was provided with a life of luxury in the United Kingdom,” the prosecutor said, adding that Alison-Madueke allegedly enjoyed multimillion-pound properties, a chauffeur-driven car, private jet travel and £100,000 in cash.
The court also heard that about £4.6m was spent refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire allegedly linked to her use.
Aluko, a petroleum and aviation magnate named in the Panama Papers, was previously investigated over allegations that he helped move millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks to Alison-Madueke. Prosecutors said he held contracts with state-owned oil entities while pursuing new ones.
“This case is about bribery in relation to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria between 2011 and 2015,” said Alexandra Healy KC, prosecuting. “Those interested in the award and retention of lucrative oil and gas contracts provided significant financial and other advantages to Alison-Madueke.”
Jurors were shown photographs of a Buckinghamshire property known as *The Falls*, purchased in 2010 by Nigerian businessman Olajide Omokore, owner of Atlantic Energy. Prosecutors said Alison-Madueke allegedly had exclusive use of the property from late 2011, staying there repeatedly and spending about six weeks writing a book, with refurbishment costs of about £300,000 allegedly paid by Tenka Limited.
It was further alleged that between May 2011 and January 2014, about £500,000 was paid in rent for two central London flats occupied by Alison-Madueke and her mother, with company records indicating that Tenka settled the bills.
Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who faces one count of bribery relating to her and another of bribing a foreign public official. Her brother, Doye Agama, 69, a former archbishop, is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and is attending the trial by video link for medical reasons.
All three defendants have denied the charges. The trial is expected to last about 12 weeks and continues.
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