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£2m Harrods Spree: UK Court Hears How Diezani Allegedly Lived Large on Oil Bribes
British prosecutors have told a London court that former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke spent more than £2m — over ₦4bn — at luxury department store Harrods, allegedly bankrolled by oil executives who benefited from lucrative contracts with Nigeria’s state oil company.
At Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, prosecutors said founders of energy firms awarded major Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) contracts also paid the running costs of Alison-Madueke’s UK residence and covered salaries for her domestic staff, including a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner.
The payments were presented as part of a wider pattern of inducements allegedly offered in exchange for favourable treatment in the award and retention of oil and gas contracts.
Alison-Madueke, a former president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is facing five counts related to accepting bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high-end properties owned by oil industry figures. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery.
Jurors were told that while living in the UK, Alison-Madueke maintained a lavish lifestyle that included the use of a personal shopper at Harrods — a privilege reserved for Black Tier Rewards members who spend more than £10,000 a year. Prosecutors allege that over £2m was spent on her behalf at the store, with purchases made using payment cards linked to oil magnate Kolawole Aluko and his company, Tenka Limited.
“She was provided with a life of luxury in the United Kingdom,” the prosecutor said, alleging that Alison-Madueke enjoyed multimillion-pound properties, a chauffeur-driven car, private jet travel and £100,000 in cash. The court also heard that about £4.6m was spent refurbishing properties in London and Buckinghamshire linked to her use.
Aluko, named in the Panama Papers, was previously investigated over claims that he helped move millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks. Prosecutors said he held contracts with state-owned oil entities while seeking new ones.
“This case is about bribery in relation to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria between 2011 and 2015,” prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC told the court, adding that there was “a strong public interest” in preventing corruption facilitated from the UK.
Jurors were shown images of a Buckinghamshire mansion known as The Falls, bought in 2010 by businessman Olajide Omokore of Atlantic Energy. Prosecutors said Alison-Madueke had exclusive use of the property from late 2011, staying there multiple times and spending weeks writing a book, with refurbishment costs of about £300,000 allegedly paid by Tenka Limited.
The court also heard that around £500,000 in rent was paid between 2011 and 2014 for two central London flats occupied by Alison-Madueke and her mother, with company records allegedly showing Tenka settled the bills.
Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who faces two bribery-related charges. Her brother, Doye Agama, a former archbishop, is also charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and is attending the trial by video link for medical reasons.
All defendants deny the charges. The trial, expected to last about 12 weeks, continues.
