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Diezani was just ‘rubber-stamp’ for oil contracts under Jonathan, Lawyer tells UK court

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Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke’s lawyer, Jonathan Laidlaw, rejected the allegations that she exercised decisive control over major oil sector deals, saying she was just a ‘rubber stamp’ when she served as oil minister in the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He told jurors at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday that Mrs Alison-Madueke did not have the authority to award lucrative government contracts.

Mr Laidlaw told the court that, as a minister, her role was to approve oil and gas agreements granted by the government.

Reuters reported that he described her as a mere “rubber stamp” for official recommendations. However, many Nigerian observers have described her as one of the two most powerful ministers in the administration.

Mrs Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s oil minister from 2010 to 2015 under the Jonathan administration. She also chaired the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2014–2015. She fled to London after the Peoples Democratic Party lost the 2015 presidential election.

In the UK, the former minister is on trial on corruption charges, having been charged in 2023 with five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

UK authorities say the charges are linked to the award of oil and gas contracts during her tenure as petroleum minister.

But she has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including accepting bribes and conspiracy to commit bribery.

It was reported on Tuesday that she received high-end properties and vast quantities of luxury goods from people who “clearly believed she would use her influence to favour them.”

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Mrs Alison-Madueke was said to have “lived a lavish lifestyle in London.”

But Mr Laidlaw said the purchases were made on Mrs Alison-Madueke’s behalf because Nigerian ministers are prohibited from having bank accounts abroad.

He stated that Mrs Alison-Madueke challenges claims regarding the number of properties made available to her and the value of the items she allegedly received.

Mr Laidlaw insisted that any money spent on her personal benefit would be fully repaid.

He explained that personal costs were reimbursed by Mrs Alison-Madueke from Nigeria, while expenditures related to official duties were covered by public funds; therefore, she did not gain any personal financial benefit.

“If there was any financial advantage, it was to Nigeria, enabling the Minister for Petroleum Resources to undertake her ministerial business, and there was, of course, nothing improper about it,” he was quoted as saying.

He asked the jurors to consider whether she actually had any real power to influence which companies secured those contracts.

He stated that the former minister simply endorsed decisions proposed by senior civil servants.

Her lawyer also conceded that Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer and one of the largest globally, has for decades struggled with widespread corruption.

Mrs Alison-Madueke’s UK trial started on Monday and is expected to run for several weeks.

The trial could carry significant penalties if she is convicted. Under the UK Bribery Act, she can face up to 10 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

In Nigeria, the courts have ordered the forfeiture of properties worth billions of naira linked to Mrs Alison-Madueke. The anti-graft agency, EFCC, argues that it has evidence of her roles in several corruption cases. However, her absence from the country has stalled her prosecution.

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Public officers are stealing Nigeria’s money every minute – EFCC boss

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September 26, 2026

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says public officers steal funds every minute.

Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.

He stated that the anti-graft agency receives over 20,000 corruption petitions every year, describing the scale of the theft detailed in many cases as shocking.

“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.

“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.

The EFCC boss noted that some public officers assume office with less than ₦100,000 in their accounts, but within three years, the agency traces millions of dollars to them.

He added that some individuals acquire hundreds of houses while in office, warning that corruption is crippling the nation.

Olukoyede stressed that public officers must be held accountable for their time in office, emphasizing that transparency must remain the guiding standard in public service.

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VIDEO: Police identify officer in viral video saying Obi can never be President

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5 hours ago

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September 26, 2026

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an officer who appeared in a viral video making inappropriate remarks about Peter Obi and Igbo people while travelling on public transport.

The officer who has been identified as INSP. Osumah Frank, was filmed saying Obi or any Igbo person can never become President of Nigeria.

In a statement released today September 25, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola said the command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

Abimbola stated that the statements made by the officer were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the position, views or official disposition of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.

She added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has reiterated the position of the command that all its personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times. She further reaffirmed that wearing the Police uniform comes with a responsibility to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Force, and that the Command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police.

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Court rejects suit seeking fresh police investigation into late singer Mohbad’s death

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5 hours ago

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September 26, 2026

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the case filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ruling that the foundation lacked the legal capacity to institute the suit.

The judge also described the application as speculative and lacking sufficient merit, noting that the foundation failed to produce the original police investigation report to support its claim that the earlier investigation was inadequate.

Justice Omotosho further cautioned lawyers handling ongoing cases against discussing matters before the court during media interviews or on social media, describing such conduct as professional misconduct.

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