Alison-Madueke got bribes in cash, luxury travels, properties, furniture – UK
The British police have said that their investigation of Nigeria’s former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke revealed she received bribes in form of cash, luxury travels, properties, home furniture among other things.
According to the revelation, Alison-Madueke abused her office by accepting bribes in exchange of lucrative oil and gas contracts, Reuters reported.
“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.
“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation,” said Andy Kelly, Head of the National Crime Agency’s International Corruption Unit.
The NCA said Alison-Madueke got at least 100,000 pounds in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.
Charges against her also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewelry and Louis Vuitton goods, the NCA said.
Madueke, an influential minister in the erstwhile administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan, equally faces accusation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had applied forfeiture orders to take confiscate her houses, money and expensive jewelry among other things. Alison-Madueke however fought back, denying the allegation and suing the government.
Her lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), stated in their claims that Alison-Madueke was not on the run. He, instead, said she had gone on a medical travel to treat a malignant breast cancer.
The former minister, in her suit, denied owning the $72.8 million the EFCC linked with her and had claimed was in a bank account with Fidelity Bank.
