Trial Commencement and Charges

The trial of former Nigerian petroleum resources minister and Opec president, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has begun in London's Southwark Crown Court. This follows her initial arrest in the UK in 2015 and subsequent charging in 2023. She faces five counts of accepting a bribe and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she denies. The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) suspects she accepted bribes during her tenure as Nigeria's minister between 2010 and 2015.

Co-Defendants and Roles

Appearing alongside Alison-Madueke is Nigerian oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who is charged with two counts of bribery and also denies the charges. Her brother, Doye Agama, attended the hearing via video link and faces a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, which he denies.

Background and Investigation

Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria's petroleum resources minister from 2010 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan and was Opec president from November 2014 to December 2015. She was arrested in the UK in 2015 in connection with an NCA investigation, was released on bail, and was formally charged eight years later in 2023. The case is ongoing.