Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has raised concerns about the fairness of her ongoing corruption trial in the United Kingdom, claiming that both British and Nigerian authorities have obstructed her defence.
In a statement issued through her media aide, Bolouere Opukiri, Alison-Madueke said her lawyers, Jonathan Laidlaw and Alistair Richardson, believe she has been denied access to crucial documents needed to prepare her case.
“My lawyers are alleging that both the British and Nigerian governments, by their actions, denied me access to important documents needed to defend myself,” she stated.
She insisted that the trial should not proceed unless the authorities provide the materials necessary for her defence.
“The trial should not continue if the authorities are unwilling to provide the materials necessary for my defence,” Alison-Madueke added.
The case, currently before Southwark Crown Court in London, involves allegations of bribery. Alison-Madueke, who once served briefly as President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is standing trial alongside her brother, Doye Agama, 69, who has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery linked to his church.
Another co-defendant, Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, has also pleaded not guilty to charges of bribing Alison-Madueke between 2012 and 2014, as well as bribery of a foreign public official.
Alison-Madueke’s defence team maintains that without access to the requested documents, the proceedings cannot be considered fair
