The British Police has charged Nigeria’s Former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke for bribery in the United Kingdom.
Reuters reported that Diezani was charged with bribery offences by the authorities on suspicion of accepting bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.
The Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit, Andy Kelly in a statement released today August 22, accused Diezani of abusing her power while serving as the Minister of Petroleum Resources during the Goodluck Jonathan administration and also as President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Part of the statement by Kelly read:
“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” said Andy Kelly, Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit. These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation”.
Alison-Madueke benefitted from at least 100,000 pounds in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties, the NCA said.
The NCA said other charges against her detailed financial rewards including furniture, renovation work, and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.
The British police revealed that Diezani she is currently living in St John’s Wood, an upmarket area of west London, and would make an appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 2.
