UK Set To Arraign Former Petroleum Minister, Diezani, On Bribery Offences
The United Kingdom (UK) Police has charged Nigeria’s Ex Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, on bribery offences.
According to the British Police, Diezani is suspected to have accepted bribes in exchange for awarding multi-million-pounds oil and gas contracts.
“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,” Andy Kelly, Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit, stated.
The NCA believe that Diezani has enriched herself with the cash sum of 100,000 pounds, chauffeur driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays being enjoyed by her family and possession of several properties in London.
Financial gratification which include: Furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods, are some of the charges brought against her, the NCA revealed.
Diezani is set to be arraigned at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2023.
Diezani served as petroleum resources minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration from 2010 to 2015.
She was also a past President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).