Former Nigerian petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, started her defence on Monday at Southwark Crown Courtroom in London, firmly denying allegations that she abused her workplace or accepted improper {financial} benefits.
Testifying earlier than a London jury, the 65-year-old former Shell government rejected all six counts introduced in opposition to her below the UK Bribery Act, insisting she neither solicited nor acquired bribes.
She is accused of accepting {financial} advantages from oil businessmen, together with Kola Aluko, Benedict Peters, Igho Sanomi, and Kevin Okyere, in alternate for beneficial remedy within the award of oil contracts.
Nonetheless, in additional than 4 hours of composed testimony, Alison-Madueke portrayed herself as a reform-minded minister working inside a system the place gift-giving and casual logistical help have been, based on her, widespread apply.
Beneath examination by her counsel, Jonathan Laidlaw KC, she denied any wrongdoing.
“I didn’t abuse my workplace in any respect,” she informed the court docket. “I didn’t ask, search or solicit bribes. I at all times acted in good religion and sought to make sure equity and steadiness in decision-making.”
She acknowledged utilizing properties in London made obtainable by associates, together with stays at a Gerrards Cross property, generally known as The Falls in 2011 and a flat on St Edmunds Terrace in St John’s Wooden.
She additionally confirmed that some flight preparations have been funded by associates, together with Aluko or Omokore on a number of events, and by Okyere on about 5 events.
Nonetheless, she insisted that every one such bills have been both reimbursed by the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company (NNPC) or have been a part of non-public logistical preparations for which she bore no duty.
A central pillar of her defence was that the petroleum minister had restricted government authority over contract awards.
“The minister’s position is coverage,” she stated. “Operational selections are dealt with by the NNPC. The minister solely indicators off after suggestions have been made. The minister isn’t concerned within the decision-making course of.”
She described herself as “a rubber stamp,” stating that committees dealt with approvals whereas ministerial endorsement was largely formal.
The prosecution, nonetheless, maintained that accepting such advantages was inherently corrupt below the regulation, a declare she strongly disputes.
Alison-Madueke additionally informed the court docket that Nigerian political and social tradition should be understood in context, notably in relation to hospitality and gift-giving.
“We are inclined to function as one another’s keepers,” she stated.
She added, “Help is anticipated and prolonged inside skilled and social networks. It’s not uncommon in Nigeria for folks in public workplace to be supported by associates.”
She additional defined that, whereas serving as minister, she typically travelled with an entourage and had little separation between official duties and private life.
She stated logistical challenges overseas meant employees generally relied on third-party playing cards and money preparations, with reimbursement anticipated from official sources.
One of the critical allegations earlier than the court docket entails a reported £100,000 money supply to her London residence in July 2012 by a driver linked to Kola Aluko.
Alison-Madueke informed the court docket she had no data of the money.
“It was not mine, and I solely grew to become conscious of it by means of disclosure in these proceedings,” she stated.
She additionally criticised what she described as weak {financial} controls throughout the NNPC’s London operations, saying this contributed to reliance on casual cost strategies.
The previous minister expressed concern over lacking official paperwork, together with ministerial diaries she stated would have supported her account of occasions and reimbursements.
She disputed claims the data have been retained by her workplace employees, insisting they have been maintained by designated secretaries and topic to strict official protocols.
Alison-Madueke additionally stated she was below the sustained political strain forward of the 2015 elections and had been warned she can be made a scapegoat.
She stated copies of key paperwork she saved have been later seized throughout an {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) search of her Abuja residence in 2015.
She added the extended investigation and journey restrictions had taken a private toll, affecting her reminiscence and well being.
The court docket additionally heard background particulars of her profession.
Born in Port Harcourt in 1960, she studied overseas and later joined Shell, the place she rose to turn out to be one of many firm’s first Nigerian feminine government administrators.
She stated she was later nominated into authorities in 2007 with out prior discover and initially resisted the appointment earlier than ultimately accepting.
She described Nigeria’s ministerial system as one in every of appointment reasonably than election, with ministers serving below sturdy government route.
Alison-Madueke is anticipated to proceed her testimony when proceedings resume immediately (Tuesday), adopted by cross-examination by the prosecution.
The trial, which has already confronted delays, is anticipated to conclude by the top of Might.
Wale Igbintade
Times Nigeria