Former petroleum minister Alison-Madueke charged by UK Police with bribery
The former minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been accused of bribery by British police.
Reuters reports that UK police stated on Tuesday that they believed she had taken bribes in exchange for giving multimillion-pound contracts for oil and gas.
From 2010 until 2015, the 63-year-old former minister worked under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.
She was the president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Speaking about the charges, Andy Kelly, Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit, said,
“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.
“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.”
Alison-Madueke was allegedly given at least £100,000 in cash, private jet travel, cars with chauffeurs, opulent vacations for her family, and the use of several London houses, according to the NCA.
Charges against her, according to Reuters, also include financial benefits like furnishings, staffing for the houses’ renovations, payment for private schooling, and presents from upscale stores selling Louis Vuitton and Cartier jewelry.
