Oil Executives Deny Bribing Former Nigerian Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke in London Court
Statements from oil executives Kevin Okyere and Igho Sanomi, read in Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, detailed their denials of paying bribes to former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. Both men are alleged to have financed significant expenses for Alison-Madueke, 65, though neither has been charged in this specific case nor appeared in court.
Alison-Madueke denies five counts of accepting bribes and one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, asserting that any services rendered for her on official duties were subsequently repaid.
In a June 2016 statement to the National Crime Agency (NCA), Ghanaian businessman Okyere stated he paid GBP#3,900 for items purchased by Alison-Madueke at Peter Jones in 2014, after she reportedly lacked sufficient funds. Okyere, chief executive of multiple oil and gas companies, claimed Alison-Madueke reimbursed him in cash in Abuja and called the bribery accusation "completely untrue."
Nigerian oil tycoon Sanomi, in a June 2017 NCA statement, explained he "obtained items on Mrs Alison-Madueke's behalf in London" due to "difficult" foreign currency exchange in Nigeria, with all expenditures to be reimbursed. He maintained his companies secured contracts fairly and that Alison-Madueke had no improper involvement in allocations.
Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, who appointed Alison-Madueke in 2010, provided a statement confirming it was not unusual for third parties to make payments for ministers on overseas duties, adding that "properly incurred incidental or in-kind assistance from third parties would be recorded and reimbursed where applicable." Jonathan also approved her use of private jets for some foreign trips.
The court previously heard allegations of oil tycoons funding a "life of luxury" for Alison-Madueke, including private jets, properties worth millions, and chauffeur services. Alison-Madueke completed nearly eleven days of testimony, stating her inability to provide repayment evidence since her 2015 arrest, attributing it to her detainment by the NCA in London and the seizure of her papers by Nigerian authorities, whom she accused of political obstruction to her defence.
She denied receiving financial or other advantages, telling the court: "At no time did I do anything to influence or show favour to anyone." Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC cross-examined Alison-Madueke over six days regarding expensive items, including Gucci handbags and furniture. Alison-Madueke denied a GBP#170,000 expenditure at Vincenzo Caffarella, a London antiques shop, for Venetian lamps and vases was to furnish a Nigerian home, stating most items were not for her. "I don't think anyone would risk their career for furniture and handbags," she remarked.
Alison-Madueke's brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, is also on trial, denying conspiracy to commit bribery. Oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, denies one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and a separate count of bribing a foreign public official. The trial is ongoing.