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Two executives in the oil sector have contested allegations that they bribed former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, according to proceedings at Southwark Crown Court. Statements from Kevin Okyere and Igho Sanomi, provided to UK authorities, were presented during the hearing on Tuesday. These individuals are among several industry figures accused of funding lavish spending and luxury accommodations for Alison-Madueke, who is 65 years old. Importantly, none of these executives face charges in this case, nor have they appeared in person at the court.
Alison-Madueke stands accused of five bribery counts along with one conspiracy charge related to bribery, all of which she denies. She has maintained that the expenses incurred during her official duties were reimbursed. Specifically, Ghanian businessman Kevin Okyere, in a statement to the National Crime Agency (NCA) dated June 2016, shared that he once paid £3,900 for items purchased by Alison-Madueke at Peter Jones after noticing she lacked sufficient funds at the checkout. According to Okyere, this amount was later returned to him in cash at his office in Abuja. He described the notion of having bribed the minister as “completely untrue.”
Similarly, Nigerian oil magnate Igho Sanomi provided a statement to the NCA in June 2017 explaining that due to difficulties with foreign currency exchange in Nigeria, he had acquired goods on behalf of Alison-Madueke in London, with all costs to be reimbursed subsequently. Sanomi asserted that his companies secured contracts through fair competition without any improper involvement by Alison-Madueke or others in the allocation process.
Additional context was given by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, who appointed Alison-Madueke as oil minister in 2010. His statement to the court acknowledged that it was common for third parties to cover payments on behalf of ministers during overseas duties, adding that “any properly incurred incidental or in-kind assistance from third parties would be recorded and reimbursed where applicable.” Jonathan also confirmed that he had authorized Alison-Madueke’s use of private jets on some foreign trips. Prior testimony revealed allegations of private jets paid for by oil tycoons as part of an extravagant lifestyle, which also purportedly included access to multi-million-pound properties and chauffeur-driven vehicles.
Alison-Madueke testified for nearly 11 days, during which she was questioned about her efforts since her 2015 arrest to prove that expenditures from numerous shopping trips to luxury stores like Harrods had been repaid. She stated that she had been held in London under the custody of the NCA “at the expense of taxpayers” and had not been permitted to return to Nigeria in the past decade. Furthermore, she accused Nigerian authorities of withholding documents necessary for her defense due to political opposition to her former government. Denying any financial or other benefits from oil executives, she told the court, “At no time did I do anything to influence or show favour to anyone.”
During a six-day cross-examination led by prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC, Alison-Madueke faced detailed scrutiny concerning numerous expensive possessions, including Gucci handbags and furniture alleged to have been purchased for her. One notable claim involved a November 2013 visit to Vincenzo Caffarella, a London store for decorative arts and antiques, where approximately £170,000 was reportedly spent on a wide range of items such as Venetian lamps and vases. Alison-Madueke disputed the claim that these were intended to furnish a house being constructed in Nigeria, stating most were not for her. She remarked, “I don’t think anyone would risk their career for furniture and handbags.”
The trial also includes Alison-Madueke’s brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, who denies conspiracy to commit bribery and is not expected to provide evidence. Additionally, oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, aged 54, faces charges of bribery connected to Alison-Madueke and separate allegations of bribing a foreign public official, both of which he denies
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