Nigeria's former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, spent a staggering £2 million at Harrods and purchased so many luxury items that she reportedly ran out of space to store them, a London court has heard today. The 65-year-old, who served as minister of petroleum resources from April 2010 to May 2015, is facing serious allegations of living a life of opulence in the United Kingdom, funded by energy industry figures seeking lucrative government contracts in Nigeria.
Allegations of Lavish Living and Bribery
Prosecutors have outlined a comprehensive case against Alison-Madueke, claiming she accepted substantial bribes to support an extravagant lifestyle. It is alleged that she received £100,000 in cash, had access to a private jet and chauffeur-driven cars, and utilised a full staff including a housekeeper, nanny, gardener, and window cleaner during her stays in the UK. The prosecution detailed her accommodation in high-end properties, such as a grand home in Buckinghamshire, a £2.8 million residence in Marylebone, central London, and multimillion-pound homes overlooking Regent's Park. Renovations to these properties, valued at £4.6 million, were allegedly bankrolled by those accused of bribing her.
Shopping Sprees and High-End Retail Bills
The court heard that Alison-Madueke's shopping habits were particularly excessive, with bills exceeding £2 million at Harrods alone. Additional expenditures included £370,740 at Marylebone antiques dealer Vincenzo Caffarella and £117,224.33 at Thomas Goode, a Mayfair retailer specialising in fine china, silverware, and glass. Prosecutors emphasised that she never personally paid for these purchases, which were funded by individuals linked to the Nigerian oil industry.
One notable incident involved a shopping spree at Thomas Goode, where Alison-Madueke was accompanied by an entourage and made a lasting impression on staff. Jon Taverner, a worker at the store, recalled her visits lasting for hours, including one occasion where she sat at a desk to work before continuing to shop. He described her as a bargain hunter who loved sales, but on one instance, she reportedly said, I don't even know why I'm buying this, I haven't got the room for it. Items purchased from Thomas Goode, such as a marble console table, a Georgian-style sideboard, and a French writing desk, were later recovered by the National Crime Agency from a storage unit connected to her.
Key Figures and Denials in the Case
Alison-Madueke denies five counts of accepting bribes and one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery. Other defendants include Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, an owner of Nigerian oil companies, who denies two charges of bribery, and Alison-Madueke's brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, who denies conspiracy to commit bribery. The trial is also expected to address allegations of £1 million in payments to Agama's church, purportedly aimed at influencing Alison-Madueke.
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC highlighted the role of Kolawole Aluko, one of the men accused of bribing Alison-Madueke. He is said to have financed excessive spending, including the Harrods sprees and over £38,000 in items from West One Bathrooms for property refurbishments, though these items were never collected. Recorded conversations presented in court reveal Alison-Madueke expressing concerns about Aluko discussing their arrangement, with her stating, I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself. In these exchanges, she challenged the notion that $80 million had been spent on her, admitting instead to around $4 million in furniture gifts.
Background and Ongoing Trial
During her tenure, Alison-Madueke had oversight of the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, positioning her as a key figure in the oil sector. The prosecution alleges she accepted bribes from five men with leading roles in oil companies seeking government contracts, facilitating a lifestyle far beyond her official means. The trial at Southwark Crown Court continues, with jurors examining detailed evidence of luxury expenditures and alleged corrupt practices.
