Fresh revelations have emerged at the Southwark Crown Court in London detailing how founders of energy companies holding lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) allegedly financed the United Kingdom lifestyle of Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
British prosecutors told the court that the businessmen allegedly paid the running costs of properties used by Alison-Madueke in the UK, including covering the salaries of her domestic staff such as a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner.
Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde, an oil executive, and her brother, Doye Agama. The trio are facing five counts related to the alleged acceptance of bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high-end properties. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
According to prosecutors, the former minister “lived a life of luxury in London” allegedly provided by individuals seeking to secure or protect oil contracts in Nigeria.
Addressing the jury, prosecutor Alexandra Healy said Alison-Madueke received expensive properties and luxury items from people who believed she would use her position and influence to favour them in the allocation of oil contracts.
The court heard that Kolawole Aluko, a Nigerian petroleum and aviation magnate named in one of the charges but not currently on trial, allegedly spent more than £2 million on luxury items for Alison-Madueke at Harrods.
Prosecutors said Alison-Madueke had a personal shopper at the luxury department store and used payment cards belonging to Aluko, as well as the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited.
Jurors were told that personal shopper status at Harrods is typically reserved for customers who spend more than £10,000 annually.
The prosecution further revealed that Alison-Madueke and her family frequently stayed in a mansion outside London purchased by Aluko through a company for £3.25 million. Aluko allegedly paid the property’s utility bills, staff salaries and refurbishment costs.
Healy told the court that there was no evidence showing Alison-Madueke awarded oil contracts to companies that did not merit them. However, she stressed that it was improper for a serving government minister to accept benefits from individuals doing business with state-owned entities.
Aluko was previously named in the Panama Papers leak among Nigerian oil executives, politicians and business figures with offshore interests. He was also reportedly investigated in the past over allegations of facilitating the movement of millions of dollars in kickbacks linked to Alison-Madueke.
Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan and was elected President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2014.