British prosecutors on Wednesday laid out allegations of extensive luxury spending by Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, telling a London court that more than £2m was allegedly spent on her behalf at Harrods using funds linked to oil executives who benefited from lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Opening the case at Southwark Crown Court, the prosecution said founders of energy companies awarded major NNPC contracts also allegedly paid the running costs of Alison-Madueke’s UK residence, including the salaries of her domestic staff.
The court heard that the payments covered wages for a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner at properties allegedly used by the former minister. Prosecutors argued that the benefits were part of a broader pattern of inducements 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 on five counts connected to the alleged acceptance of bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to 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 Alison-Madueke maintained a lavish lifestyle in the United Kingdom, including the use of a personal shopper at Harrods, a service reserved for Black Tier Rewards members who spend more than £10,000 a year.
According to prosecutors, more than £2m was spent at the Brompton Road store on Alison-Madueke’s behalf, with several transactions allegedly made using payment cards linked to oil magnate 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, alleging that Alison-Madueke enjoyed access to multimillion-pound properties, a chauffeur-driven car, private jet travel and £100,000 in cash.
The court was also told that approximately £4.6m was spent refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire allegedly connected to her use.
Aluko, a petroleum and aviation magnate named in the Panama Papers, was previously investigated over claims 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 seeking additional ones.
“This case is about bribery in relation to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria between 2011 and 2015,” said Alexandra Healy KC, for the prosecution.
“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,” she added.
Jurors were shown photographs of a Buckinghamshire property known as The Falls, bought in 2010 by Nigerian businessman Olajide Omokore, owner of Atlantic Energy.
The court heard that from late 2011 Alison-Madueke allegedly had exclusive use of the property, which included a cinema room, staying there several times and spending about six weeks writing a book. Prosecutors said refurbishment costs of about £300,000 were paid by Tenka Limited.
They further alleged that between May 2011 and January 2014, around £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 count 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 proceedings by video link for medical reasons.
All three defendants have denied the charges. The trial, expected to last about 12 weeks, continues.
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