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.
