Former Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria, Diezani Alison-Madueke has been charged with bribery by the bribery offences relating to her time as minister, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Tuesday.
The agency said they suspected she had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.
A key figure in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, serving as petroleum resources minister from 2010 to 2015, Alison-Madueke has been dogged by allegations of monumental corruption.
During her time as Nigeria’s petroleum minister, she equally served as President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The 63-year-old was first arrested in London in October 2015 but has been on bail ever since.
The NCA said she will appear in court in the British capital on October 2.
Head of the NCA’s International Corruption Unit, Andy Kelly said, “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.
“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.”
The NCA said Alison-Madueke allegedly benefited from at least £100,000 ($127,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.
The NCA further said charges against her also detail 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.
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