FORMER Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has raised serious concerns over the fairness of her ongoing corruption trial in the United Kingdom, alleging that actions by both the British and Nigerian authorities have undermined her right to a fair defence.
News Point Nigeria reports that Alison-Madueke, who is standing trial at the Southwark Crown Court in London, said she has been denied access to critical documents required to adequately prepare her case, a development her legal team argues compromises the integrity of the proceedings.
In a statement issued by her media aide, Bolouere Opukiri, the former minister disclosed that her lawyers, Jonathan Laidlaw and Alistair Richardson, have formally complained that key materials needed for her defence have not been made available despite repeated requests.
According to the statement, Alison-Madueke insists that the trial should not proceed if the authorities involved are unwilling or unable to provide all relevant documents necessary for her to challenge the allegations against her.
“The actions of both the UK and Nigerian governments have effectively denied Mrs Alison-Madueke access to documents that are fundamental to her defence,” the statement said. “Proceeding under such circumstances raises serious concerns about fairness and due process.”
The former oil minister, who also served briefly as President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is facing charges bordering on bribery and corruption linked to her tenure in office.
She is being tried alongside her brother, Doye Agama, 69, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery in relation to activities allegedly connected to his church.
Another co-defendant, Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, has also pleaded not guilty to two counts, one relating to the alleged bribery of Alison-Madueke between 2012 and 2014, and another involving the bribery of a foreign public official.
The case forms part of a long-running international investigation into alleged corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector, which has seen multiple probes and asset seizures across different jurisdictions.
Alison-Madueke has consistently denied all allegations against her, maintaining that she did not engage in corrupt practices during her time in office. Her legal team argues that without full disclosure of evidence held by prosecuting authorities, her right to a fair trial as guaranteed under UK law cannot be assured.
