A former Nigerian oil minister enjoyed what prosecutors described as “extravagant and excessive” spending sprees at luxury stores in London using money allegedly supplied as bribes by business figures seeking government contracts, a court in the UK has heard.
Diezani Alison Madueke, Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015, is accused of being provided with a life of luxury in the United Kingdom by industry insiders with interests in Nigeria’s oil sector. The 65 year old denies five counts of accepting bribes and one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.
The court was told that during a visit to Harrods in November 2013, Alison Madueke ordered rugs worth thousands of pounds, including items from high end designers. Media reports say she was accompanied by Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko and a security guard.
A store employee described her as “extremely glamorous” and said she appeared to be wearing very expensive clothing. Prosecutors also alleged that Alison Madueke was a frequent customer at a decorative arts and furniture shop in north London, where she was known under the name “Sharon D”.
According to the prosecution, between October 2012 and November 2013, Aluko purchased lamps, tables, and other luxury items for Alison Madueke costing more than £370,000. She was also said to have spent long periods shopping at a Mayfair china and silverware store, often arriving with a small entourage.
Court testimony suggested that items were regularly selected but never collected, and that Alison Madueke did not pay for purchases herself. Instead, bills were allegedly settled by Aluko and other Nigerian businessmen whose energy companies held lucrative contracts with Nigeria’s state owned oil corporation during her time in office.
Jurors also heard evidence relating to furniture shipments from a luxury store in Houston, Texas, destined for several London properties allegedly used by the former minister. Two of the properties were said to have been bought by Nigerian businessman Benedict Peters. Photographs of interiors containing items allegedly purchased for Alison Madueke were shown in court.
Additional expenses allegedly covered on her behalf included nearly £90,000 to charter a private jet from Luton to Lagos in January 2012, as well as a delivery of £100,000 in cash from a north London bank to a nearby flat.
The court also heard that Alison Madueke’s mobile phone was seized during police searches in 2015. Recorded conversations were played in which she is said to have confronted Aluko over claims that he had discussed gifts given to her during a period when their relationship was deteriorating.
In other evidence, oil executive Igho Sanomi was said to have run shopping errands for Alison Madueke in London. Text messages recovered from her phone reportedly showed him pledging loyalty and agreeing to collect luxury goods on her behalf. Weeks later, his company was part of a consortium awarded a new oil mining lease, the court heard.
Also on trial is Alison Madueke’s brother, former bishop Doye Agama, who faces a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery. Prosecutors allege he received £1.2m in bribes intended to influence his sister’s conduct as oil minister. Industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde is also charged with bribery offences linked to the case. Both men deny the allegations.
The trial is continuing.