Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke appeared in a London court, facing charges of receiving bribes in exchange for awarding oil contracts.
Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria‘s minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.
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At Westminster Magistrates Court, she did not formally enter a plea but her lawyer indicated she would plead not guilty.
This follows a pattern of high-profile Nigerian politicians facing prosecution in Britain for corruption; James Ibori, a former state governor, was convicted of fraud and money laundering in 2012.
Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer, has long struggled with systemic corruption among its political class, hindering its development and the equitable distribution of oil wealth.
Alison-Madueke, who was arrested in London in 2015 after stepping down as minister, was charged in August with six bribery offenses, all allegedly related to events in London.
According to prosecutor Andy Young, she is accused of accepting various forms of compensation, including £100,000 in cash, payment of private school fees for her son, and the use and refurbishment of luxury properties in London and the English countryside.
The charges also include the use of a Range Rover car, chauffeur-driven cars, furniture purchases, and shopping at upscale stores like Harrods.
District Judge Michael Snow granted bail to Alison-Madueke, imposing conditions such as an electronic tag, a curfew, and a £70,000 surety.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for October 30 at Southwark Crown Court, which handles serious criminal cases.
London has been a favored destination for affluent members of the Nigerian political elite seeking to enjoy their wealth, and despite its reputation as a global money-laundering hub, it remains uncommon for public figures to face prosecution for corruption-related offenses.
Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Jan Harvey and Angus MacSwan
