UK Govt Charges Diezani With Bribery, Oil Contract Fraud

The British Government has charged the former Minister of Petroleum in Nigeria, Diezani Alison-Madueke with bribery offences and fraud.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said they suspected Diezani had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts during his time as a minister in Nigeria.

In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, NCA said Diezani will appear at Westminster magistrates court on October 2, for the case.

The statement reads: “She is alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

“Her charges also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.”

Speaking about the charges, Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit, Andy Kelly, said the charges against Alison-Madueke was brought after a thorough and complex international investigation.

He said, “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.

“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.”

Kelly said Alison-Madueke was accused of benefitting from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

He added that the charges against the former minister also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.

Recall that Alison-Madueke was the president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).