Nigeria's Ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani, faces bribery charges in UK
Posted by Chinwenwa Nwokenna | one year ago | 867 times
The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA) charged former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, with bribery offenses on Tuesday.
Back in 2015, during the transition to the Buhari government, Alison-Madueke faced allegations of corruption during the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Buhari's administration consistently pointed to corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, which Diezani chaired, as a significant issue during Jonathan's tenure. Following the establishment of stability by the new government, rapid investigations and legal processes were launched against Diezani in Nigeria.
It's worth noting that Diezani Alison-Madueke took legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Attorney General (AGF) over what she deemed as defamatory posts that accused her of corrupt practices.
Alleging false portrayals as "a vulgar looter of state property and a vile and corrupt public servant," Alison-Madueke demanded 100 billion naira in compensation.
Diezani Alison-Madueke, aged 63, played a significant role in former President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, serving as Petroleum Minister from 2010 to 2015. She also made history as the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The former OPEC President, who was first arrested in London in October 2015, has been out on bail. The NCA confirmed that she is scheduled to appear in a British court in the capital on October 2, 2023.
Head of the NCA's international corruption unit, Andy Kelly, stated, "We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts."
The NCA revealed that Alison-Madueke benefited from at least £100,000 ($127,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, luxury family holidays, private jet flights, and use of several London properties. Andy Kelly emphasized, "Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, enabling serious criminality with devastating consequences for developing countries. These charges mark a significant step in a thorough and intricate international investigation."
During the probe, the NCA froze assets worth millions of pounds related to the case. In March 2023, evidence provided by the NCA to the US Department of Justice enabled the recovery of $53.1 million in assets linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke's alleged corruption.
Diezani Alison-Madueke's case underscores Nigeria's pervasive corruption issue. As a high-ranking official overseeing the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, her alleged involvement in bribery highlights the deeply entrenched nature of corruption that can permeate even the highest echelons of governance. The accusations of abusing power for financial gain through contract awards emphasize how corruption undermines fair competition and diverts resources meant for public welfare. This exacerbates economic challenges, erodes trust in institutions, and damages Nigeria's international reputation. The incident underscores the need for enhanced transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption measures to drive Nigeria's progress and stability.
