British prosecutors on Wednesday told a London court that former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, lavished more than £2m (N4bn) at Harrods, allegedly using funds provided by oil executives who benefited from lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
The prosecution said founders of energy companies awarded major NNPC contracts also paid the running costs of Alison-Madueke’s UK residence and covered the salaries of her domestic staff.
The payments, the court heard, included wages for a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner at the former minister’s property.
According to prosecutors, the benefits formed part of a wider pattern of inducements allegedly offered in exchange for favourable treatment on oil and gas contracts.
Alison-Madueke, a former President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court on five counts relating to the acceptance of bribes in the form of luxury goods and the use of high-end properties owned by oil industry figures. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery.
Jurors were told that the former minister maintained a lavish lifestyle in the United Kingdom, including the use of a personal shopper at Harrods, a service available only to Black Tier Rewards members who spend more than £10,000 annually.
Prosecutors alleged that over £2m was spent on Alison-Madueke’s behalf at the Brompton Road store, with several purchases made using payment cards linked to Kolawole Aluko and the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited.
“She was provided with a life of luxury in the United Kingdom,” the prosecutor said, adding that Alison-Madueke allegedly enjoyed the use of multimillion-pound properties, a chauffeur-driven car, private jet travel and £100,000 in cash.
The court was also told that about £4.6m was spent refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire allegedly linked to her use.
Aluko, a petroleum and aviation magnate named in the Panama Papers, was previously investigated over allegations that he helped move millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks to Alison-Madueke. Prosecutors said he also held contracts with state-owned oil entities while seeking new ones.
“This case is about bribery in relation to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria between 2011 and 2015,” said Alexandra Healy KC, prosecuting.
“Those interested in the award and retention of lucrative oil and gas contracts provided significant financial and other advantages to Alison-Madueke.
“There is a strong public interest in ensuring that conduct in this country does not further corruption in another country,” she added.
Jurors were shown photographs of a Buckinghamshire property known as The Falls, bought in 2010 by Nigerian businessman Olajide Omokore, owner of Atlantic Energy.
The court heard that from late 2011, Alison-Madueke allegedly had exclusive use of the property, which included a cinema room, staying there several times and spending about six weeks writing a book. The costs, including about £300,000 in refurbishments, were allegedly paid by Tenka Limited.
Prosecutors further said that between May 2011 and January 2014, about £500,000 was paid in rent for two flats in central London occupied by Alison-Madueke and her mother, with company records allegedly showing that Tenka settled the bills.
Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who faces one count of bribery relating to her and another of bribing a foreign public official.
Her brother, Doye Agama, 69, a former archbishop, is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and is attending the trial by video link for medical reasons.
All three defendants have denied the charges. The trial, expected to last about 12 weeks, continues.
punch.ng
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