JUST IN: Diezani Alison-Madueke Faces Bribery Charge In UK

United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) has charged Former President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Diezani Alison-Madueke with bribery offences.

Gatekeepers News reports that Alison-Madueke, has been on bail since first being arrested in London in October 2015.

NCA on Tuesday, said she will appear in court in the British capital on October 2.

Soon after her arrest, her family’s lawyer told AFP she would strongly contest corruption allegations that have dogged her during and after her time in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

While in office between 2010 to 2015, Alison-Madueke, was the first woman to be oil minister in Nigeria and the first female president of the global oil cartel OPEC.

In a statement, the head of the NCA’s international corruption unit, Andy Kelly, said, “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million pound contracts.”

The NCA said Alison-Madueke allegedly benefited from at least £100,000 ($127,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

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

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

“Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries. We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat.”

The Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, Andrew Penhale, said, “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the NCA to charge Diezani Alison-Madueke with bribery offences.

“The CPS made the decision to authorise the charge after reviewing a file of evidence from the NCA relating to allegations of bribery in Nigeria.

“Criminal proceedings against Ms Alison-Madueke are active and she has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

“The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider.

Alison-Madueke has been living in the upmarket St John’s Wood area of north London since she was first arrested.

Meanwhile, her family said she underwent chemotherapy for breast cancer.