Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has told a London court that her role in approving oil contracts was largely procedural, insisting that key decisions had already been made before documents reached her desk.
Testifying at Southwark Crown Court, Alison-Madueke said the structure of Nigeria’s oil industry limited her direct control over contract approvals, as critical operations were primarily handled by the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
“The system was already in motion before files came to me,” she told the court, adding that the scale and complexity of the sector made comprehensive oversight by a minister difficult.
She explained that most contracts had already undergone extensive technical and regulatory scrutiny before arriving at her office, which meant she rarely rejected them.
“In many instances, I was a rubber stamp in the process,” she said.
Alison-Madueke also recounted a 2014 incident involving a disputed crude oil deal allegedly linked to businessman Igho Sanomi. According to her, the transaction was uncovered through a whistleblower report and subsequently cancelled. However, she claimed the decision was resisted by influential figures who escalated the matter to then President Goodluck Jonathan.
Addressing longstanding allegations that $20 billion in oil revenue went missing, she rejected claims made by former Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi, maintaining that the reports were inaccurate. She said subsequent audits and legislative reviews indicated that the funds were accounted for, largely tied to subsidy payments and operational expenses.
While acknowledging systemic issues within the fuel subsidy regime — including multiple claims by marketers — Alison-Madueke said reforms were initiated under her leadership to curb abuse.
She further told the court that her efforts to challenge entrenched interests came with significant personal risks, including security threats and the alleged kidnapping of family members.
The former minister also alleged that politicians and business figures frequently sought preferential treatment in oil allocations but maintained that she declined requests that did not follow due process.
On her personal finances, Alison-Madueke said she adhered to regulations barring public officials from holding foreign accounts, relying instead on Nigerian bank cards during overseas trips, despite occasional transaction difficulties.
The court heard details of her official travels between 2011 and 2015, during which she said she was typically accompanied by about 30 officials, including aides, security personnel, and protocol staff. She added that all trips were properly documented, with both commercial and chartered flights used when necessary.
Alison-Madueke, who is standing trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agama on five counts related to bribery, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial continues in London.
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