Bribery allegation: Diezani may escape trial in UK
Diezani Allison-Madueke, a former minister of petroleum resources in Nigeria, is facing bribery charges in the United Kingdom (UK), but she may never stand trial there.
An official from Southwark Crown Court told our correspondent, “Her case has just been transferred to us,” from Westminster Magistrate Court, where she previously appeared on October 3, according to The Guardian.
He responded, “She has a plea and pre-trial preparation hearing on October 30.” when asked when the former Minister would appear before a Judge.
The source said, “This hearing is for her to take a plea. The trial could take a while. She can avoid going to trial altogether by entering a guilty plea. A trial date will be scheduled if she enters a not guilty plea.
The NCA claims that Allison-Madueke, 63, took about £100,000 in bribes in exchange for awarding multi-million pound oil contracts while she was Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan and President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The NCA claims that she and her family enjoyed a variety of luxuries, including private jet travel, chauffeured automobile service, and extravagant vacations.
