As the trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke continues in U, prosecutors have told Southwark Crown Court that Diezani spent £140,000 on luxury furniture and art in a single day, allegedly using bribes from oil industry players.
Alison-Madueke, currently on trial alongside her brother, Doye Agama, and oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, faces five counts of bribery.
All defendants have pleaded not guilty. The prosecution claims the high-end purchases—including bespoke lighting and antiques—were funded through intermediaries to mask the source of the wealth.
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy argued this spending was part of a “life of luxury” financed by businessmen seeking lucrative Nigerian oil contracts.
She added that the alleged bribes were provided in the form of expensive goods and access to high-value properties, rather than cash payments.
During earlier proceedings on January 27, the court was told that the former minister allegedly received luxury items and the use of prime real estate as inducements while in office.
The public gallery was filled with supporters from the Ijaw community in Nigeria, several of whom travelled to London to observe the trial.
The defence has rejected the prosecution’s claims.
On January 29, 2026, Jonathan Laidlaw, counsel to Alison-Madueke, told the court that his client had no real authority over the award of oil contracts during her tenure as minister.
Laidlaw argued that Alison-Madueke acted merely as a “rubber stamp” for recommendations made by relevant agencies and officials, insisting that she neither influenced contract awards nor accepted bribes.
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