The trial of Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, opened today, Tuesday, 27 January 2026, at London’s Southwark Crown Court. British prosecutors painted a vivid picture of a “life of luxury” allegedly funded by a systematic web of bribes during her tenure under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
The 65-year-old, who made history as the first female president of OPEC, sat in the dock as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) detailed allegations of multi-million-pound corruption spanning from 2011 to 2015.
Prosecutors allege that Alison-Madueke abused her immense power to exchange lucrative oil and gas contracts for “significant financial or other advantages.”
Two key groups, Atlantic Energy and SPOG Petrochemical, were named as entities that secured contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or its subsidiaries after providing “advantages” to the minister.
The ‘Benefits’ Package: The court was told the alleged bribes included:
- Cold Cash: £100,000 ($137,000) in physical cash.
- Luxury Logistics: Chauffeur-driven cars and private jet flights to Nigeria.
- London Real Estate: Refurbishment work and domestic staff costs at multiple London properties.
- The “High Life”: Designer shopping sprees at Harrods and Louis Vuitton, and even school fees for her son.
Alison-Madueke is not standing trial alone. Two other individuals, Doye Agama (her brother) and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also being prosecuted on bribery charges linked to the case. All three defendants held British addresses at the time of the alleged offenses, giving the UK jurisdiction to prosecute.
“She should not have accepted benefits from those who were doing, no doubt extremely lucrative, business in oil and gas with government-owned entities.” – The Prosecution
The Global Legal Web (January 2026)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Key Focus |
| United Kingdom | Trial Underway | Bribery, private jet usage, and luxury property costs. |
| Nigeria (EFCC) | Active / Subsisting | Asset seizure of multi-million dollar properties. |
| United States | Asset Forfeiture | Legal battles over assets linked to oil swap deals. |
| Estimated End | 24 April 2026 | Judge Justine Thornton’s target for trial conclusion. |
Since her initial arrest in London in October 2015, Alison-Madueke has consistently denied all charges of wrongdoing. Her legal team is expected to argue that the benefits described by the prosecution do not constitute criminal bribery under UK law.
Despite being on bail for over a decade, the National Crime Agency (NCA) remains firm in its suspicion that she “abused her power in Nigeria” for financial reward.
