Diezani Alison-Madueke

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources (2010–2015), faces extensive corruption and money laundering allegations involving the diversion of state funds and receipt of illicit benefits. Major allegations include: * Bribery and Conspiracy: Charged in the UK in 2023 with five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery between 2011 and 2015. Prosecutors allege she received over £100,000 in cash, private jet travel, and millions in luxury goods and property refurbishments from oil executives in exchange for influence. She denies all charges, claiming she acted as a rubber stamp for pre-approved contracts and that expenses were reimbursed. * Asset Seizures: In 2017, US authorities seized $145 million in assets linked to her, including the yacht Galactica Star and properties in New York and California. A Nigerian federal court also seized 7.6 billion naira ($21 million) from her accounts in 2017, and a 2019 ruling confirmed the permanent forfeiture of $40 million worth of jewelry seized from her home. * Prior Controversies: In 2009, the Nigerian Senate indicted her for the unauthorized transfer of 1.2 billion naira to a toll company. She has also faced allegations of mismanaging $20 billion in state oil revenue and organizing the diversion of $28 billion from the national treasury, which she has dismissed as politically motivated. Trial proceedings are currently ongoing at the Southwark Crown Court in London.