Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison-Madueke, has denied allegations of receiving bribes in the form of luxury accommodation and extravagant spending during official visits to the United Kingdom.
Gatekeepers News reports that testifying on Monday at the Southwark Crown Court, the 65-year-old insisted she maintained integrity throughout her time in public office, rejecting claims that she solicited or accepted illicit benefits.
“I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort… and did not abuse my office,” she told the court, adding that she always acted impartially in carrying out her duties.
Prosecution Claims, Defence Response
Prosecutors allege that several Nigerian businessmen covered expenses on her behalf, including over £2 million spent at luxury retailer Harrods and about £4.6 million used to refurbish properties in London and Buckinghamshire.
However, Alison-Madueke maintained that all services provided during official engagements were reimbursed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. She explained that a logistics firm was set up in London to manage travel and accommodation due to inefficiencies in the company’s financial systems at the time.
“They paid for all my hotels, chauffeurs… to allow me to perform the job that I did,” she said.
The court also heard claims that she had access to high-value properties, including a £2.8 million home in Marylebone and residences overlooking Regent’s Park, as well as a Christmas 2011 stay at a property in Gerrards Cross.
She denied arranging the stay, stating it was due to her husband’s medical condition, which prevented their return to Nigeria. She added that a separate two-week visit involved officials working on a publication highlighting the Nigerian president’s women empowerment initiatives.
Property, Cash Allegations Rejected
Addressing other claims, Alison-Madueke said one property was used for “discreet” official meetings, while another was under renovation and uninhabitable at the time of her visit.
She also denied knowledge of an alleged £100,000 cash delivery by a chauffeur, insisting the money had no connection to her.
On claims that she and her mother stayed in apartments in St John’s Wood funded by businessman Kolawole Aluko, she said the arrangement was recommended as a cost-saving alternative to luxury hotels such as The Savoy and The Dorchester.
Career, Challenges, and Charges
During her testimony, Alison-Madueke highlighted her career progression, including her rise within Shell, where she became the first female senior executive in its Nigerian operations. She also criticised the firm’s handling of oil spills in the Niger Delta.
She spoke about security challenges faced while in office, describing Nigeria as a “very patriarchal society” and recounting threats of kidnapping, including the reported abduction of family members.
In 2015, she made history as the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Alison-Madueke is currently facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she denies.
Also standing trial is oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who has denied one count of bribery and another of bribing a foreign public official.
