They alleged that there were suspicions that she had accepted bribes in exchange for granting multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.
Alison-Madueke, aged 63, held a significant position in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, serving as the petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015. Notably, she also assumed the role of president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Andy Kelly, the Head of the National Crime Agency's (NCA) International Corruption Unit, stated, "We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts." He emphasized that these charges represented a significant milestone in a thorough and intricate international investigation.
The NCA outlined that Alison-Madueke was alleged to have benefited from various privileges, including at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, extravagant family vacations, and the utilization of multiple London properties, as confirmed by a Reuters report.
The charges against her also encompassed rewards such as furniture, property renovations, staffing for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from upscale designer boutiques, such as Cartier jewelry and Louis Vuitton products, as detailed by the NCA.
Despite her departure from office, she has been plagued by corruption accusations, all of which she has denied.
The British police revealed that Alison-Madueke currently resides in St John’s Wood, an affluent area in west London. She is expected to make an appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 2 to address the charges leveled against her.
