Energy Companies Paid Diezani’s Domestic Staff Salaries for NNPC Contracts, British Court Hears

More accusations have been levelled against Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, who is facing a high-profile bribery trial in London, United Kingdom.

According to British prosecutors, founders of energy companies who had lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), paid the running costs of the former minister’s UK property.

They were also responsible for paying the salaries of her domestic staff which included a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner.

Alison-Madueke is facing trial on a five-count charge bordering on accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods and use of highbrow properties owned by industry figures.

Prosecutors alleged that she also had a high fashion taste.

The court heard how the defendant had her own personal shopper at Harrods, using the payment cards of Kolawole Aluko and the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited.

Aluko is a petroleum and aviation mogul who was part of a constellation of Nigerian oil executives, state governors, cabinet ministers, military officials, and tribal chiefs mentioned in the Panama Papers leak.

He was once reportedly probed for allegedly helping to smuggle millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks to Alison-Madueke.

Prosecutors noted that a personal shopper at Harrods status is only available as reward to members who must spend over £10,000 a year.

Alison-Madueke reportedly splurged over £2 million on a luxury department store on Brompton Road in London.

The ex-minister; Olatimbo Ayinde, an oil executive; and Doye Agama, her brother are listed as defendants.

They have pleaded not guilty.