Diezani Alison-Madueke corruption trial
Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Nigerian oil minister, denied soliciting or receiving illicit payments during her ongoing corruption trial at Southwark Crown Court in London on April 15, 2026. As of April 15, 2026: Alison-Madueke faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, with prosecutors alleging she benefited from millions in luxury spending, including approximately $190,000 for furniture and art, funded by businessmen seeking government contracts. She testified on April 13, 2026, that she did not abuse her office and reimbursed any services. Separately, a Federal High Court in Abuja revoked her bail and issued an arrest warrant on April 7, 2026, in connection with alleged fraud charges in Nigeria.
Timeline
Want updates on this thread?
Track this storyTimeline of developments
April 2026 — 4 developments
Diezani Alison-Madueke denied soliciting or receiving illicit payments during her ongoing trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Diezani Alison-Madueke denied soliciting or receiving illicit payments during her ongoing trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. She faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, with prosecutors alleging she benefited from millions in luxury spending funded by businessmen seeking government contracts.
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke testified in her London corruption trial on Monday and denied taking bribes.
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke testified in her London corruption trial on Monday and denied taking bribes. She stated in court that she did not abuse her office and that any services arranged for her were reimbursed.
Prosecutors in the London corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke allege she accepted luxury bene…
Prosecutors in the London corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke allege she accepted luxury benefits, including approximately $190,000 spent on furniture and art, in exchange for awarding lucrative oil contracts. The trial also includes allegations of payments for school fees, private jet flights, and chauffeur-driven cars. Alison-Madueke, who served as minister from 2010 to 2015, denies all charges.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has revoked the bail of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria's former Minis…
A Federal High Court in Abuja has revoked the bail of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria's former Minister of Petroleum Resources, and issued an arrest warrant for her in connection with alleged fraud charges. This action is separate from the ongoing corruption proceedings against her in London.
March 2026 — 2 developments
In the ongoing corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, the defense has argued she was a 'rubber stamp' with limited influence over decisions.
In the ongoing corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, the defense has argued she was a 'rubber stamp' with limited influence over decisions. Cooperation between UK and Nigerian authorities has led to US authorities recovering assets valued at approximately $53.1 million, including real estate and a superyacht.
Prosecutors presented further financial and property evidence in the bribery trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Prosecutors presented further financial and property evidence in the bribery trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. Properties purchased between 2013 and 2014 were revealed to have been acquired under the name of the Christian Way of Life Church, where her brother is a director. Emails indicated these properties were bought through donations, with businessman Benedict Peters transferring funds.
February 2026 — 17 developments
Prosecutors in the UK trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke confirmed they are not alleging she improperly influenced specific oil or gas contract awards.
Prosecutors in the UK trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke confirmed they are not alleging she improperly influenced specific oil or gas contract awards. The case focuses on her alleged acceptance of benefits, such as cash and private jet travel. Audio recordings were also presented in court, capturing heated exchanges between Alison-Madueke and oil contractors from whom she is accused of accepting bribes.
Nigeria's Supreme Court has affirmed a seven-year conviction for fraud against Albert Bassey, former Akwa Ibom finance commissioner, ordering him to refund N204 million.
Nigeria's Supreme Court has affirmed a seven-year conviction for fraud against Albert Bassey, former Akwa Ibom finance commissioner, ordering him to refund N204 million. The court's decision also relates to 12 cars valued at N240 million, which Bassey received from Olajide Omokore, an associate of former Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke, and which the EFCC stated were part of corruption proceeds.
An investigator from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chinedu Eneanya, testified…
An investigator from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chinedu Eneanya, testified in the London trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. Eneanya stated he joined the investigation in December 2025 and worked from an inventory prepared by Abdulrasheed Bawa, noting a discrepancy in the number of storage bags listed.
Former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa will not provide live testimony in the Diezani Alison-Madueke bribery trial.
Former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa will not provide live testimony in the Diezani Alison-Madueke bribery trial. His evidence will be admitted as 'agreed facts' following defense objections concerning his character. The jury will not hear directly from Bawa, who led the original investigation.
An EFCC operative, Chinedu Eneanya, testified in the UK trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, detailing a…
An EFCC operative, Chinedu Eneanya, testified in the UK trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, detailing allegations that she received at least £100,000 in cash, private jet flights, and other benefits. Eneanya also confirmed reviewing documents seized from her Abuja residence in 2015 and noted a discrepancy in an inventory prepared in 2018.
Audio recordings allegedly featuring Diezani Alison-Madueke confronting oil businessmen were played in her UK bribery trial on February 26, 2026.
Audio recordings allegedly featuring Diezani Alison-Madueke confronting oil businessmen were played in her UK bribery trial on February 26, 2026. In one recording, she stated, “I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself.” The recordings, recovered from a phone seized in 2015, are part of the prosecution's case accusing her of receiving at least £100,000 in cash and other benefits.
A fifth prosecution witness, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), te…
A fifth prosecution witness, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified virtually from Nigeria in the corruption trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. The witness confirmed reviewing documents recovered from Alison-Madueke's residence in Nigeria on October 2, 2015. The trial at London's Southwark Crown Court is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.
Four prosecution witnesses testified remotely from Nigeria on February 26, 2026, in the ongoing corr…
Four prosecution witnesses testified remotely from Nigeria on February 26, 2026, in the ongoing corruption trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke at London's Southwark Crown Court. The testimonies were provided virtually from Abuja under a mutual assistance agreement between Nigeria and the UK. The trial, which began on January 26, 2026, is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.
Southwark Crown Court heard audio recordings of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke confronting oil tycoons from whom she is accused of accepting bribes.
Southwark Crown Court heard audio recordings of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke confronting oil tycoons from whom she is accused of accepting bribes. Four witnesses also provided virtual testimony from Abuja, Nigeria, as part of the ongoing trial. The recordings, found on a seized phone, captured conversations from 2014, and the virtual testimonies were conducted under a Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act request.
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's bribery and corruption trial resumed in London on February 24, 2026.
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's bribery and corruption trial resumed in London on February 24, 2026. Prosecutors presented emails and text messages, and requested to play a recorded conversation that reportedly unsettled the defendant. The trial is ongoing at Southwark Crown Court.
Prosecutors presented evidence in the corruption and bribery trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Prosecutors presented evidence in the corruption and bribery trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke. Jurors heard testimony from a luxury furnishings retailer and a former housekeeper regarding high-end purchases and property use allegedly routed through intermediaries.
Diezani Alison-Madueke is on trial in London facing six criminal counts of bribery and conspiracy to…
Diezani Alison-Madueke is on trial in London facing six criminal counts of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery, with prosecutors alleging she accepted substantial cash sums, use of properties, and other benefits in exchange for improperly influencing oil and gas contracts. She is being tried alongside two co-defendants: her brother, Doye Agama, and businessman Olatimbo Ayinde. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has cooperated with US prosecutors to recover approximately $53.1 million in assets linked to alleged corruption.
The bribery trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke in London was unexpectedly adjourned due to a juror's illness.
The bribery trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke in London was unexpectedly adjourned due to a juror's illness. This adjournment occurred amidst detailed allegations of a lavish lifestyle and clashes between the prosecution and defense regarding evidence and cultural misunderstandings.
During the corruption trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madue…
During the corruption trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former building contractor testified about extensive renovations on London properties linked to her between 2011 and 2014. The company managed refurbishments, including a residential lift for Alison-Madueke's mother, with an estimated cost of £2 million for these projects.
UK prosecutors allege that Diezani Alison-Madueke spent £140,000 on luxury furniture in a single day, presenting these details as part of the ongoing corruption trial.
UK prosecutors allege that Diezani Alison-Madueke spent £140,000 on luxury furniture in a single day, presenting these details as part of the ongoing corruption trial. The trial has resumed with prosecutors detailing alleged extravagant spending during her tenure.
Prosecutors in London revealed new details in the corruption trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Mini…
Prosecutors in London revealed new details in the corruption trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, alleging she spent over £2 million at Harrods and £140,000 in a single day on luxury goods. Associated companies are also accused of funding property renovations and household expenses. The trial, which resumed on February 3, 2026, focuses on bribery charges related to oil and gas contracts.
The corruption and bribery trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke resumed in London on Monday, February 2, 2026.
The corruption and bribery trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke resumed in London on Monday, February 2, 2026. This follows a stall in proceedings on January 27 due to disagreements and technical issues.
January 2026 — 10 developments
Diezani Alison-Madueke's legal team alleged that both the Nigerian and British governments are withh…
Diezani Alison-Madueke's legal team alleged that both the Nigerian and British governments are withholding crucial defense documents, raising concerns about the fairness of her corruption trial. This argument was made in Southwark Crown Court.
Diezani Alison-Madueke's lawyer, Jonathan Laidlaw, argued in a UK court that she had no real influen…
Diezani Alison-Madueke's lawyer, Jonathan Laidlaw, argued in a UK court that she had no real influence over oil contract awards, acting merely as a "rubber stamp," and that purchases made on her behalf were reimbursed from Nigeria.
Diezani Alison-Madueke's lawyers formally denied bribe-taking in a London court, arguing that materi…
Diezani Alison-Madueke's lawyers formally denied bribe-taking in a London court, arguing that material establishing her innocence was denied due to 'gross delay' in the investigation.
The trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke is expected to last about 12 weeks, with prosecutors alleging she accepted bribes including school fees for her son and private jet flights.
The trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke is expected to last about 12 weeks, with prosecutors alleging she accepted bribes including school fees for her son and private jet flights.
The trial was stalled on January 27, 2026, due to disagreements between prosecution and defense lawyers over evidence and juror selection, in addition to technical issues.
The trial was stalled on January 27, 2026, due to disagreements between prosecution and defense lawyers over evidence and juror selection, in addition to technical issues. Prosecutors further alleged that payment cards belonging to Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko and his company funded over £2 million in Harrods purchases for Alison-Madueke.
Diezani Alison-Madueke faces six charges in her London trial, alleging she received financial advantages between 2011 and 2015 in exchange for steering oil and gas contracts.
Diezani Alison-Madueke faces six charges in her London trial, alleging she received financial advantages between 2011 and 2015 in exchange for steering oil and gas contracts. Prosecutors claim these benefits included cash, property use, cars, and luxury goods, which she denies. The trial, which began in January 2026, is in its third week, with evidence focusing on luxury purchases and property use routed through intermediaries.
Former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's corruption trial began in London on Janu…
Former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke's corruption trial began in London on January 27, 2026, with prosecutors alleging she accepted benefits like cash and private jet travel in exchange for steering oil and gas contracts. Audio recordings were presented in court, capturing heated exchanges between Alison-Madueke and oil contractors she is accused of bribing. The trial is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.
On the first day of the substantive trial, British prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke accepted …
On the first day of the substantive trial, British prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke accepted 'vast quantities' of luxury perks and cash bribes, including £100,000 in cash and £4.6 million in property renovations, in exchange for awarding lucrative oil contracts.
The corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke was unexpectedly stalled at its start due to legal and technical issues, including a lack of internet access in the courtroom.
The corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke was unexpectedly stalled at its start due to legal and technical issues, including a lack of internet access in the courtroom.
The full bribery trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke officially commenced at Southwark Crown Court in London, with preliminary proceedings and jury selection.
The full bribery trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke officially commenced at Southwark Crown Court in London, with preliminary proceedings and jury selection.
January 2025 — 1 developments
The United States and Nigeria confirmed an agreement for the repatriation of $52.
The United States and Nigeria confirmed an agreement for the repatriation of $52.88 million in forfeited assets linked to Alison-Madueke, following a US Department of Justice resolution.
October 2023 — 1 developments
A UK court granted Alison-Madueke bail, setting strict conditions including an electronic tag and a curfew, due to concerns that she posed a flight risk.
A UK court granted Alison-Madueke bail, setting strict conditions including an electronic tag and a curfew, due to concerns that she posed a flight risk.
August 2023 — 1 developments
The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) formally charged Diezani Alison-Madueke with five counts of acc…
The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) formally charged Diezani Alison-Madueke with five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, marking a significant step towards trial after years of investigation.
October 2021 — 1 developments
The Pandora Papers leak revealed accusations that Alison-Madueke accepted $17 million in gifts and p…
The Pandora Papers leak revealed accusations that Alison-Madueke accepted $17 million in gifts and property from three Nigerian oil businessmen in exchange for favors during her tenure as Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources.
December 2017 — 1 developments
The US Justice Department's kleptocracy team seized $145 million worth of assets, including a New Yo…
The US Justice Department's kleptocracy team seized $145 million worth of assets, including a New York apartment, California properties, and an $80 million yacht, purchased for Alison-Madueke's benefit, highlighting the international scope of the alleged corruption.
August 2017 — 1 developments
A Nigerian federal court ordered the seizure of 7.
A Nigerian federal court ordered the seizure of 7.6 billion naira (approximately $21 million) from bank accounts linked to Alison-Madueke, demonstrating parallel asset recovery efforts in Nigeria.
October 2015 — 2 developments
A UK court authorized the seizure of cash from Alison-Madueke, indicating immediate legal action following her arrest.
A UK court authorized the seizure of cash from Alison-Madueke, indicating immediate legal action following her arrest.
Diezani Alison-Madueke was arrested in London by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences, marking the beginning of the UK investigation.
Diezani Alison-Madueke was arrested in London by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences, marking the beginning of the UK investigation. Her home in Abuja was also raided by Nigerian anti-corruption agents.