The British police on Tuesday, announced that they have charged former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, with bribery-related offences.
According to Reuters, the police alleged that she accepted bribes in exchange for awarding contracts worth millions of pounds in the oil and gas sector.
The 63-year-old ex-minister served during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, from 2010 to 2015. She also acted as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2014-2015.
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.”
The NCA said she was currently living in St John’s Wood, an upmarket area of west London, and would appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Oct. 2.
It continued by saying that Alison-madueke was accused of benefiting from at least 100,000 pounds ($127,000) in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.
Reuters said charges against her also detail financial rewards including 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.