In a significant turn of events, the British police have taken legal action against former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on charges related to bribery.
As reported by Reuters, the UK police revealed on Tuesday that they had reason to believe she had accepted bribes in exchange for the allocation of multi-million-pound contracts in the oil and gas sector.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, 63, previously held the position of minister during the tenure of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, serving from 2010 to 2015. She also held the distinguished position of president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Addressing the charges, Andy Kelly, who heads the International Corruption Unit at the National Crime Agency (NCA), stated, “Our suspicion is that Diezani Alison-Madueke misused her authority in Nigeria and received financial incentives for granting multi-million-pound contracts. These charges mark a significant milestone in what has been an exhaustive and intricate international investigation.”
According to the NCA, the accusations against Alison-Madueke encompass alleged benefits totaling at least £100,000. These include cash payments, chauffeur-driven vehicles, trips on private jets, opulent vacations for her family, and access to multiple properties in London.
In addition to these charges, Reuters has outlined further instances of financial rewards attributed to her. These encompass expenditures for furniture, property renovations, staffing for her residences, funding for private school tuition, and lavish presents from luxury designer boutiques like Cartier and Louis Vuitton.
The legal proceedings against Alison-Madueke serve as a striking development, shedding light on alleged wrongdoing in connection with her tenure as Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister. As the case unfolds, attention is directed towards the intricate details of the accusations and their potential implications.
