The trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has entered its final stage in the United Kingdom after both the defence and prosecution closed their cases at the Southwark Crown Court in London.
She is standing trial alongside oil executive, Olatimbo Ayinde, and her brother, Doye Agama, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged bribery. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
British prosecutors allege that the former minister received bribes in the form of luxury items and high-value properties from oil industry players in exchange for favourable treatment in the award of oil contracts between 2010 and 2015.
They argued that there is no credible documentary evidence supporting claims that the transactions were legitimate or reimbursed, insisting the benefits were improperly received.
In their closing submissions, the defence accused prosecutors of failing to charge alleged bribe givers and relying on incomplete and unreliable evidence. Defence counsel, Jonathan Laidlaw, also questioned evidence obtained from a 2015 raid on Alison-Madueke’s Abuja residence, alleging procedural lapses and lack of proper documentation.
He further argued that key records that could have supported the defence, including reimbursement documents and official travel records, were missing or inconsistently handled. He also challenged the prosecution’s reliance on evidence from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying it was selectively used.
Responding, lead prosecutor, Alexandra Healy, maintained that oil executives provided improper benefits to the former minister while their companies benefited from lucrative state contracts. She said such arrangements were incompatible with public office and not backed by any evidence of lawful reimbursement.
She also referenced a ÂŁ1 million payment linked to businessman Benedict Peters, alleging it was routed through intermediary structures to conceal its origin. Healy added that Alison-Madueke had been aware of the investigation for nearly a decade. With both sides concluding their arguments, the jury is expected to deliver its verdict later this week.
