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At the resumed hearing of the UK corruption trial involving former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, prosecutors on Thursday presented what they described as a substantial body of documentary and digital evidence before Southwark Crown Court.
The prosecution told the court that materials placed on the record included transcripts of audio recordings, WhatsApp communications, emails, and correspondence allegedly recovered during searches conducted by the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police at properties linked to the defendant.
During the proceedings, prosecutors outlined a number of allegations said to arise from the seized materials, emphasising that these matters form part of the prosecution’s case and remain subject to judicial determination.
Among the issues referred to in open court were claims attributed to oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, suggesting that individuals associated with businessman Kola Aluko benefited from their proximity to him.
Ayinde is an ally of President Bola Tinubu.
The court also heard references to an alleged acrimonious dispute between Ms. Ayinde and businessman Femi Otedola, including a letter reportedly addressed to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in which concerns about threats to her safety were said to have been raised.
Prosecutors further alleged that a politician and businessman, Dumebi Kachikwu, acted as an intermediary in certain financial transactions connected to his brother, Ibe Kachikwu, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The court heard claims of substantial monetary transfers, luxury expenditures, including the alleged purchase of a high-value watch from Harrods, and payments said to have covered medical expenses.
It was also stated that correspondence authored by lawyer and current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in his capacity as legal counsel, characterised some of the payments as relating to land transactions.
In addition, the prosecution referred to materials said to contain telephone communications involving Nigeria’s current President, Bola Tinubu, and former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as well as records of meetings involving Osinbajo’s former chief of staff, Adeola Ipaye, parts of which were reportedly transcribed.
Prosecutors emphasised that all materials cited were being tendered as part of the prosecution’s evidentiary case in support of the charges before the court.
The trial continues, with the defence expected to respond as the proceedings advance.
Alison-Madueke, a former President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is currently standing trial at Southwark Crown Court on five counts of accepting bribes and an additional count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery.
Previously, jurors were told that the former minister lived an extravagant lifestyle in the UK, including using a personal shopper at Harrods, a service reserved for Black Tier Rewards members who spend more than £10,000 annually.
According to reports, prosecutors further alleged that more than £2 million was spent on Alison-Madueke’s behalf at the Brompton Road store, with several purchases made using payment cards linked to Nigerian oil magnate Kolawole Aluko and the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited.
The court was also told that about £4.6m was spent refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire allegedly linked to her use.
Aluko, a petroleum and aviation magnate named in the Panama Papers, was previously investigated over allegations that he helped move millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks to Alison-Madueke. Prosecutors said he also held contracts with state-owned oil entities while seeking new ones.
The former minister was filmed leaving the court on Thursday without the use of a walking stick, accompanied by her driver or bodyguard as they made their way to a waiting BMW.
Alison-Madueke was also captured on video departing Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, walking briskly and unaided, in contrast to earlier court appearances in which she had been seen using a walking stick.
On Monday and Tuesday, Alison-Madueke was observed arriving at and leaving the court with a walking stick.
SaharaReporters had questioned the use of the aid, noting that it was unclear whether it was medically necessary or merely a support prop, as no official clarification was provided in court.
The exclusive video, obtained by SaharaReporters, shows Alison-Madueke, 65, accompanied by a bodyguard or driver who carried her bag to a waiting BMW.
On Tuesday, prosecutors told Southwark Crown Court that the former Nigerian Petroleum Minister accepted £100,000 in cash while in office, in addition to lavish benefits.
Prosecutor Alexandra Healy said Alison-Madueke received cash, private jet flights, chauffeur-driven cars, and luxury goods from Louis Vuitton and Harrods from industry figures seeking oil and gas contracts in Nigeria.
