Bribery allegations: Diezani due in court tomorrow

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison- Madueke, will be hauled before a Southwark Crown Court judge on Monday to answer bribery charges and allegations of corruption from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

Earlier this month, she appeared before a Westminster Magistrate Court, from where the multimillion pound allegations and corruption charges were transferred to the crown court for Monday’s proceedings.

“That’ll be courtroom 14,” a Southwark Crown Court official told The Guardian last Friday, confirming that the 63-year old will be there for the Plea and Pre-Trial.

When asked how long the trial will be, he reiterated the previous story and said: “No date has been set,” adding that it all depends on the outcome on Monday.

“She may not need to stand trial if she takes a guilty plea. However, if she pleads not guilty, a date will then be set for a trial.”

Alison-Madueke, who was a prominent figure in President Goodluck Jonathan’s government between 2010 and 2015, is suspected to have accepted bribes in exchange for awarding contracts during her time as Minister for Petroleum Resources.