A London court has granted bail to Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, who faces bribery charges filed by the United Kingdom (UK) government. District Judge Michael Snow set forth bail conditions that include a curfew requiring her to stay indoors between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., as well as the mandatory use of an electronic tag. Additionally, a £70,000 surety was imposed, which she had to pay before leaving the court building on Monday.
During her appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court, Alison-Madueke spoke only to provide her name, date of birth, and address. The charges against her were read in court, although she was not required to formally enter a plea. Her lawyer, Mark Bowen, stated that she would plead not guilty.
The former minister is accused of receiving bribes while serving as Nigeria's petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015. These bribes allegedly took the form of cash, luxury goods, private jet flights, and the use of high-end properties in the UK in exchange for awarding oil contracts.
Alison-Madueke, who also served as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was a prominent figure in the Nigerian government during her tenure. She was arrested in London in 2015, shortly after stepping down as minister.
The charges in the UK are part of wider investigations into alleged corruption during her time as petroleum minister, with various Nigerian agencies pursuing legal action against her and others linked to her ministry
