Diezani’s £100,000 bribery case in the UK adjourned to 2025

The UK’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday adjourned till November for hearing in the £100,000 alleged bribery case against Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The court held its last hearing on October 2 and Diezani was present. She was granted £70,000 bail.

As part of the bail conditions, Justice Michael Snow imposed an 11pm to 6am curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a £70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.

Diezani spoke only to give her name, date of birth and address at the court.

Her lawyer Mark Bowen told the court she would be pleading not guilty.

Diezani, who is wanted in Nigeria to face criminal charges bordering on fraud, was arrested in London in 2015, shortly after stepping down as minister. She was charged in August with six bribery offences and has spent the past eight years on police bail, living in St John’s Wood, an expensive area of London.

In a statement published on its website, the UK’s National Crime Agency said the ex-Nigerian minister “is alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

“Her charges also detail financial rewards, including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.”