Alison-Madueke’s bail application was granted by district judge, Michael Snow.
The Westminster Magistrates Court in the United Kingdom on Monday granted Nigerian Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke a £70,000 bail in her alleged £100,000 bribe trial.
Alison-Madueke’s bail application was granted by district judge, Michael Snow.
Snow further imposed other terms on Alison-Madueke including an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a £70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Diezani Alison-Madueke, was charged to court in London on Monday for receiving bribes in the form of cash, luxury goods, flights on private jets and the use of high-end properties in Britain in return for awarding oil contracts.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria's minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015, during the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan has been in London for the last eight years.
She gave her name, date of birth, and address during her appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court.
Although she did not submit a formal plea, her attorney, Mark Bowen, indicated the court that she would plead not guilty, according to Reuters.
Her next court appearance will be on October 30 at Southwark Crown Court, which handles serious criminal charges.
Recall that the UK’s National Crime Agency said it suspected Diezani had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.
The NCA stated on its website that Diezani "is alleged to have benefited from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, private jet flights, luxury vacations for her family, and the use of multiple London properties."
“Her charges also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.”
The NCA also gave evidence to the US Department of Justice in March 2023, allowing them to collect assets totaling USD 53.1 million related to Diezan's suspected misconduct.
Andy Kelly, head of the NCA's international corruption team, said the accusations are "a watershed moment in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation." Bribery is a widespread form of corruption that facilitates serious criminality and can have disastrous effects for underdeveloped countries. "We will continue to work with partners both here and abroad to combat the threat," Kelly stated.
In October 2015, Diezani and four other persons were arrested in the UK over alleged bribery and money laundering offences.
A magistrate court in the UK granted Diezani bail but her passport was seized while she was asked to report at the Charing Cross police station.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleged that the former minister stole $2.5 billion from the Nigerian government while she was a minister.