Former Nigerian Oil Minister and ex-OPEC president, Diezani Alison-Madueke, appeared in a London court on Monday as preliminary proceedings began ahead of her bribery trial.
Alison-Madueke, who held office from 2010 to 2015 and made history as the first female president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015.
She has consistently denied all six charges against her.
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) formally charged her in 2023, accusing her of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding multi-million-pound contracts during her tenure as Nigeria’s oil minister.
According to the indictment, Alison-Madueke allegedly received at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, and the use of multiple London properties.
Additional alleged benefits included furniture, property renovations, private school fees, and luxury gifts from high-end designer brands.
Two other individuals, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also being prosecuted in connection with the case. Agama appeared via video link, while Ayinde was present in court.
The full trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, and is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.