Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is under the spotlight in a UK courtroom after a witness revealed she spent £170,000 on luxury furniture in just 24 hours during a London shopping spree.
The revelation came during proceedings at Southwark Crown Court, where Alison-Madueke appeared alongside her brother, Doye Agama, and oil executive Ayinde Olatimbo Bukola.
Monica, a director at the Vincenzo Cafferrella furniture gallery, testified before the court, detailing the purchases which included designer chairs, bespoke tables, and Italian-crafted lamps.
he staggering spending drew murmurs in the courtroom, highlighting the scale of the luxury acquisitions.
The trial, led by UK prosecutors, forms part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption, money laundering, and the movement of Nigeria’s oil wealth abroad.
While the defense did not dispute the purchases, the central question remains whether the funds used for the lavish spending were linked to illicit proceeds from Nigeria’s oil sector.
Observers say the case underscores a stark contrast between the opulent lifestyle displayed abroad and the persistent poverty and infrastructure challenges faced by millions in Nigeria.
Alison-Madueke and her co-defendants maintain their innocence, insisting their wealth has legitimate sources.
The trial is set to continue in the coming days, with prosecutors aiming to trace the origins of the funds used in the extravagant purchases.
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For Nigerians and international observers alike, the case represents not only allegations of financial misconduct but also broader questions of accountability for those who once controlled the country’s most valuable resources.