The Digest:
Former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has told a UK court that she had limited control over oil contract approvals, describing herself as largely a "rubber stamp" in the process. Testifying at Southwark Crown Court, she said most decisions were made before reaching her desk, with operational authority resting with the NNPC group managing director. She also said she uncovered an alleged crude oil lifting arrangement linked to businessman Igho Sanomi and moved to cancel it after a whistleblower report.
Key Points:
- She said she rarely rejected contract approvals and did not interfere with processed decisions.
- She revisited the $20 billion oil revenue controversy, saying figures were linked to subsidy payments, not missing funds.
- She claimed investigations into fuel subsidy payments uncovered abuses by marketers.
- She alleged that political and business figures pressured her for oil allocations, which she declined.
- She is standing trial on five counts of accepting bribes; she pleaded not guilty.
Sources: The Cable
