According to a report by Reuters, British authorities announced on Tuesday that they have formally charged Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, with bribery offenses.

The charges allege that she accepted bribes in exchange for granting lucrative oil and gas contracts amounting to millions of pounds.

Alison-Madueke, aged 63, held a significant role during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015, serving as the Minister of Petroleum Resources and even as the president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

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The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom stated that they suspect Alison-Madueke leveraged her authority to receive substantial financial rewards, including cash, chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights, luxury vacations for her family, and utilization of multiple properties in London.

The charges encompass various forms of compensation such as property renovations, private school fees, and high-end gifts from designer outlets like Cartier and Louis Vuitton.

Alison-Madueke is currently residing in the upscale neighborhood of St John’s Wood in West London.

The British authorities have scheduled her appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for October 2, 2023.

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These charges come after a comprehensive international investigation led by the NCA’s International Corruption Unit.

It’s worth noting that Alison-Madueke has been under scrutiny by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since her tenure ended.

She has consistently denied allegations of corruption. In 2022, a Nigerian court ordered the forfeiture of her assets, including luxury cars and properties, to the Federal Government.

In response, Alison-Madueke filed a lawsuit in May 2023 against the EFCC and the Attorney General of Nigeria, asserting false accusations and seeking damages for reputational harm.

In the lawsuit, Alison-Madueke’s legal representation, led by Mike Ozekhome, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), countered the allegations of illicit funds and assets.

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They emphasized her departure from Nigeria due to aggressive breast cancer treatment and argued that the massive amounts allegedly associated with her were implausible.

The statement contends that no home could hold such substantial sums of cash and that banks would not house such funds without notifying relevant authorities.