After nearly four months of proceedings at London’s Southwark Crown Court, the jury in the trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has begun deliberations.
Alison-Madueke, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010 and 2015, denies five counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Prosecutors allege the 65-year-old lived a lavish lifestyle in London, receiving luxury properties and high-end shopping perks in exchange for facilitating oil and gas contracts, allegations she has consistently denied.
She is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who faces bribery-related charges, and her brother Doye Agama, who is accused of conspiracy to commit bribery involving his church.
The jury was sent out just before 12:30 p.m. on Monday to consider its verdicts on the eight charges facing the three defendants.
