• Diezani Alison-Madueke denies accepting bribes during her time as Nigeria's oil minister.
• Prosecutors allege over £2 million in lavish spending linked to corrupt practices.
• Alison-Madueke claims all expenses were reimbursed through official channels.
• She faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery.
• Trial continues with testimony expected to examine relationships between officials and private firms.

Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, 65, testified in London, denying allegations of bribery linked to government contracts. She stated, “At no time did I ask for, take, or seek a bribe or bribes of any sort,” asserting her integrity during her tenure from 2010 to 2015, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.

The court heard allegations that Alison-Madueke benefited from extravagant perks, such as multimillion-pound properties in the UK, private jet travel, and high-end shopping trips, with prosecutors claiming over £2 million was spent at Harrods alone. Furthermore, they allege she received £100,000 in cash while serving as Nigeria’s petroleum minister, according to Africa News and Los Angeles Times.

While facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, Alison-Madueke contended that the logistics surrounding her official travels were managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, which later reimbursed the expenses incurred for her duties. She emphasized that the benefits were not personal gifts but rather necessary for her role, as per testimonies discussed in court, according to BBC and Africa News.

Two co-defendants are involved in the case: Olatimbo Ayinde, who denies two bribery charges, and Alison-Madueke's brother, Doye Agama, who is facing charges of conspiracy to commit bribery. This trial aims to explore the ties between public officials and energy firms seeking to influence government contracts in Nigeria’s oil sector, according to Los Angeles Times and Africa News.

Alison-Madueke, the first female president of OPEC, oversaw significant segments of Nigeria's oil industry, though her tenure has been significantly clouded by corruption allegations. The Nigerian government’s anti-corruption agency has previously sought to seize properties and assets associated with her and others linked to suspected illicit funds, as referenced in multiple reports, according to BBC, Los Angeles Times, and Africa News.