A court in the United Kingdom has heard allegations that Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, spent £140,000 on luxury furniture and decorative art in a single day while living in London.
The allegation was presented on Monday at the Southwark Crown Court in London, where Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama. The trio are facing five counts related to the alleged acceptance of bribes and have all pleaded not guilty.
According to Channels Television, British prosecutors told the court that the former minister made the purchases at a high-end antiques store in London, buying bespoke furniture, lighting and decorative art. The items were allegedly paid for through intermediaries rather than directly by Alison-Madueke.
Prosecutors argued that the spending formed part of evidence showing that Alison-Madueke lived a lavish lifestyle funded by individuals seeking favourable oil contracts in Nigeria.
One of the prosecutors, Alexandra Healy, had earlier told jurors on January 27 that Alison-Madueke “enjoyed a life of luxury in London,” which she claimed was financed by those with commercial interests in Nigeria’s oil sector.
The trial is ongoing at the Southwark Crown Court.
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