The Digest:
Former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has told a London court that she never solicited or received bribes, insisting that expenses incurred during her time in office were official and reimbursed by the Nigerian government. Testifying at Southwark Crown Court, she said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) funded her London lifestyle, including hotels and chauffeurs. Prosecutors alleged she benefited from over £2 million spent at Harrods and £4.6 million for property refurbishments.
Key Points:
- Alison-Madueke is facing five counts of accepting bribes; she denies all charges.
- A London-based service company was set up to manage travel and accommodation due to NNPC inefficiencies.
- She described Nigeria as a "very patriarchal society" and said she faced "dire threats of kidnap."
- She is standing trial alongside her brother and an oil executive.
- She became the first female president of OPEC in 2015.
