British prosecutors have told a London court that former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly enjoyed a lavish lifestyle in the United Kingdom funded by oil executives who benefited from lucrative contracts with Nigeria’s state-owned oil company. The allegations were presented on Wednesday at Southwark Crown Court, where Alison-Madueke is standing trial on multiple bribery-related charges.

According to the prosecution, more than £2 million, estimated at about ₦4 billion, was allegedly spent on Alison-Madueke’s behalf at the luxury department store Harrods. Prosecutors claimed the funds were provided by founders of energy companies that received major contracts from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited during her tenure.

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The court heard that beyond high-end shopping, oil executives allegedly covered the running costs of Alison-Madueke’s UK residence, including the salaries of domestic staff. These payments reportedly included wages for a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner, forming part of what prosecutors described as a pattern of inducements offered in exchange for favourable treatment in oil and gas contracts.

Alison-Madueke, who also previously served as President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. She faces 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, including conspiracy to commit bribery.

British Court Hears Details of Alleged Luxury Lifestyle

Jurors were told that Alison-Madueke maintained an extravagant lifestyle in the UK, including access to a personal shopper at Harrods. Prosecutors noted that this exclusive service is reserved for Black Tier Rewards members who spend more than £10,000 annually. They alleged that over £2 million was spent at the Brompton Road store using payment cards linked to Kolawole Aluko and the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited.

“She was provided with a life of luxury in the United Kingdom,” the prosecutor told the court. The prosecution further alleged that Alison-Madueke enjoyed the use of multimillion-pound properties, a chauffeur-driven car, private jet travel and as much as £100,000 in cash. In addition, about £4.6 million was allegedly spent refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire linked to her use.

Aluko, a petroleum and aviation magnate named in the Panama Papers, was previously investigated over claims that he helped move millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks to Alison-Madueke. Prosecutors said he held contracts with state-owned oil entities while actively seeking new ones during the period in question.

Alexandra Healy KC, leading the prosecution, told the court that the case centres on alleged bribery within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector between 2011 and 2015. She said individuals seeking to secure or retain lucrative contracts allegedly provided significant financial and other advantages to the former minister.

“There is a strong public interest in ensuring that conduct in this country does not further corruption in another country,” Healy added.

Jurors were shown photographs of a Buckinghamshire property known as The Falls, purchased in 2010 by Nigerian businessman Olajide Omokore, owner of Atlantic Energy. Prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke had exclusive use of the property from late 2011, staying there multiple times and spending around six weeks writing a book. About £300,000 in refurbishments was allegedly paid for by Tenka Limited.

The court also heard that between May 2011 and January 2014, approximately £500,000 in rent was paid for two central London flats occupied by Alison-Madueke and her mother, with company records allegedly showing Tenka settled the costs.

Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who faces two bribery-related charges, and her brother, Doye Agama, a former archbishop charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. All defendants have denied the allegations. The trial is expected to last about 12 weeks and is ongoing.