Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison‑Madueke, on Monday opened her defence before the Southwark Crown Court in London, categorically denying allegations of bribery and abuse of office.
Testifying before a jury, the 65‑year‑old former Shell executive rejected all six counts under the UK Bribery Act, insisting she neither solicited nor received improper financial advantages. The prosecution alleges that she accepted benefits from oil businessmen, including Kola Aluko, Benedict Peters, and Igho Sanomi, in exchange for favourable treatment in the award of oil contracts.
In over four hours of testimony, Alison‑Madueke presented herself as a reform‑minded minister, arguing that gift‑giving and logistical support were common practice within Nigeria’s political and social culture. She maintained that such assistance was either reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or constituted private arrangements beyond her responsibility.
Central to her defence is the claim that the petroleum minister’s role was limited to policy oversight, with operational decisions on contract awards handled by the NNPC. She described herself as “a rubber stamp,” stressing that committees made recommendations while ministerial approval was largely formal.
She acknowledged using properties and flight arrangements facilitated by associates but denied that these amounted to corrupt benefits. She also disclaimed knowledge of a reported £100,000 cash delivery to her London residence in 2012, stating she only became aware of it during the proceedings.
Alison‑Madueke criticised weak financial controls within NNPC’s London operations and expressed concern over missing ministerial diaries and documents, which she said would have corroborated her account. She further alleged political pressure ahead of the 2015 elections, claiming she was warned she would be made a scapegoat.
The former minister, who joined Shell in her early career and later became one of its first Nigerian female executive directors, was appointed into government in 2007. She is expected to continue her testimony today, with cross‑examination by the prosecution to follow. The trial is scheduled to conclude by the end of May.
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