A statement by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been presented before Southwark Crown Court in the ongoing trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources.
According to BBC News, the statement was read during court proceedings on Tuesday, providing context to practices during Jonathan’s administration.
In the statement, Jonathan told the court that it was not unusual for third parties to make payments on behalf of ministers undertaking official overseas duties.
He also confirmed approving Alison-Madueke’s use of private jets for certain foreign trips, noting that any incidental or in-kind support received from third parties would typically be documented and reimbursed where necessary.
Alison-Madueke served as minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015 under Jonathan’s administration. She is currently standing trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agama, her brother, on a five-count charge related to alleged bribery. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Earlier Proceedings
During earlier hearings in January, British prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke accepted bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high-end properties from industry figures seeking favourable treatment in oil contract awards.
However, Jonathan Laidlaw, counsel to Alison-Madueke, told the court that his client did not wield decisive influence over the awarding of oil contracts during her tenure.
Sanomi, Okyere Deny Bribery Allegations
Statements from Nigerian businessman Igho Sanomi and Ghanaian entrepreneur Kevin Okyere were also read in court. Both men denied allegations of bribery.
Prosecutors have alleged that a group of industry insiders financed the former minister’s luxury purchases and accommodation. However, Okyere, founder of the Springfield Group, stated in a 2016 submission to the National Crime Agency that a £3,900 purchase he made on Alison-Madueke’s behalf in London was later reimbursed in cash in Abuja.
Okyere described bribery claims against him as “completely untrue.”
Similarly, Sanomi, in a 2017 statement to investigators, said purchases he made for the former minister in London were reimbursed, and maintained that his companies secured contracts through fair and competitive bidding processes, without improper influence.
The trial continues.
