UK Police Slam Bribery Charges Against Alison-Madueke
*Expected to appear in court on October 2.
British police on Monday said they have charged former Nigeria petroleum minister, Alison Madueke, with bribery offenses.
In a released statement, the police alleged that she accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million pound oil and gas contracts.
"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," he added.
As petroleum minister, Alison-Madueke, 63, was a major figure in the Goodluck Jonathan administration who also acted as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.
According to the NCA, Madueke allegedly benefitted from at least 100,000 pounds in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family and use of multiple London properties.
Additional charges against her include financial rewards, 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.
Madueke, who has denied all the charges against her, is currently living in the upmarket St John’s Wood area of west London.
She is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 2.
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