Prosecutors Allege Diezani Alison-Madueke Spent £140,000 on Luxury Furniture in a Single Day
British prosecutors have presented evidence alleging that former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke spent £140,000 on luxury furniture, bespoke lighting, and decorative art in a single day. The details were revealed during her ongoing bribery trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Prosecutors allege the extravagant purchases, made at a London antiques store, were paid for by intermediaries and formed part of bribes from oil industry figures seeking contracts in Nigeria. Alison-Madueke, who is on trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother Doye Agama, has pleaded not guilty. Her defense claims she was merely a “rubber stamp” with no real influence over contract awards.
Key Points:
The allegation provides a stark, quantifiable example of the lavish lifestyle prosecutors allege was funded by corrupt practices.
It reinforces the narrative of a significant outflow of Nigerian public wealth for the personal luxury of a former high-ranking official.
The ongoing trial in the UK represents a major international effort to hold a former Nigerian minister accountable for alleged grand corruption.
The defense’s “rubber stamp” argument attempts to distance her from culpability by diminishing her perceived power and agency in office.
The case continues to draw significant public attention in Nigeria as a symbol of the impunity and grand scale of corruption associated with the country’s oil sector.
The trial is a critical test of cross-border justice for alleged high-level corruption, with the detailed spending claims adding a powerful visual dimension to the charges of bribery and illicit enrichment.
Sources: Punch
