UK Police Charge Ex-Nigerian Minister Alison-Madueke With Bribery

Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been charged with bribery offences by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA).

According to the information posted on the agency’s website, Alison-Madueke, alleged to have accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 2.

“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” Andy Kelly, Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit, said.

“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.”

Alison-Madueke was a key figure in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The 63-year-old, who once acted as President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015.

She also served as president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.