Former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke finds herself in a high-stakes battle at a London court, desperately seeking to secure bail and avoid imprisonment. A magistrate presiding over her pre-trial hearing on a six-count corruption charge has demanded a substantial sum as bail.
This legal showdown comes as a result of allegations brought forward by the British National Crime Agency, with support from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Alison-Madueke, a once-powerful figure in the Goodluck Jonathan administration, stands accused of corruption, particularly related to bribery in exchange for lucrative oil contracts.
Prosecutors contend that she accepted bribes totaling at least $120,000 in cash, along with perks such as access to opulent London residences, lavish vacations, and the use of private jets, all in exchange for favoring certain oil and gas deals. Additionally, it’s alleged that she received valuable gifts from high-end establishments like Harrods and Cartier.
Arriving at the court on Monday, Alison-Madueke, who has been out on bail since 2015, presented a composed demeanor, clad in a designer suit and a brown beret, flashing her signature smile.
However, her confidence quickly gave way to concern as her legal counsel’s request for continued self-recognizance bail was rebuffed by the magistrate.
The magistrate’s decision hinged on the belief that Alison-Madueke, given the imminent trial at the Crown Court in October, now posed a flight risk. In a bid to secure her freedom, Alison-Madueke offered $60,000 (approximately N60 million). Regrettably for her, the magistrate deemed this amount insufficient.
With the threat of incarceration looming large, Diezani Alison-Madueke is urgently mobilizing funds to meet the magistrate’s bail requirements. Failure to do so would result in the revocation of her bail and a stint behind bars.