The Southwark Crown Court in the UK, on Monday, adjourned the hearing on the case involving Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, until November 2025.
Alison-Madueke made an appearance at the Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday, October 2, 2023, facing charges related to bribery, totaling £100,000, as a result of an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Despite her appearance, District Judge Michael Snow granted her bail, subject to certain conditions, considering her a potential flight risk.
The 63-year-old, who also held the position of President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), played a significant role in the Nigerian government from 2010 to 2015.
The NCA suspects that she accepted bribes during her tenure as Minister for Petroleum Resources in exchange for awarding lucrative oil and gas contracts.
As part of the ongoing investigation, assets worth millions of pounds associated with the alleged offenses have already been frozen.
Earlier this year, in March, the NCA provided evidence to the US Department of Justice, leading to the recovery of assets totaling $53.1 million linked to Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.
She is accused of benefiting from a minimum of £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, luxury family vacations, and the use of multiple London properties.