UK jury begins deliberations in Alison-Madueke’s bribery trial

May 19, 2026 By Chisom Moghalu

THE jury in the alleged bribery case involving Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Ms Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday, began deliberations ahead of delivering a judgement.

According to Reuters, the panel is expected to return a final decision after concluding its deliberations.

Alison-Madueke is being tried alongside an oil executive, Olatimbo Ayinde, and her brother, Doye Agama, over a 5-count charge related to the alleged acceptance of bribes.

The three defendants have all denied the allegations and entered not guilty pleas. British prosecutors alleged that the former minister received luxury items and high-end properties from industry players seeking favourable treatment in the award of oil contracts.

Prosecutors argued that some individuals believed Alison-Madueke would use her position and influence as petroleum minister to benefit them in dealings involving the oil sector.

However, the former minister and her legal team rejected the accusations, insisting that the claims against her were unfounded.

At last Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the former minister, Jonathan Laidlaw, and the lead prosecutor, Alexandra Healy, presented their closing arguments before the court.

Laidlaw criticised UK prosecutors for allegedly failing to charge the supposed bribe givers, relying on what he described as questionable evidence, and not producing certain materials relevant to the case.

He argued that while Alison-Madueke faced prosecution, the wealthy oil businessmen accused of offering the bribes had not been charged.

The defence counsel also stated that officials of the UK’s National Crime Agency were not present during the October 2015 raid on the former minister’s Abuja residence.

He further claimed that items allegedly recovered from the property were not photographed in their original positions and that the agency no longer possesses the original materials being presented in court.

UK prosecutor had alleged that the former minister received luxury items and high-value properties from oil industry figures seeking favourable treatment in relation to oil contracts during her time in office between 2010 and 2015.

In her closing submission, Healy maintained that several oil executives provided improper benefits to Alison-Madueke while their companies secured lucrative government contracts during her time as petroleum minister.

The prosecutor told jurors that it was inappropriate for a serving public official to have her lifestyle financed by individuals conducting business with the Nigerian government.