UK court sets January 2026 for trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke over £100,000 cash, luxury goods bribes
The Southwark Crown Court in London, United Kingdom, has fixed January 19, 2026, for the trial of Nigeria’s former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The judge, Justine Thornton, during the arraignment on Friday, fixed the trial date for the former president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which is expected to span 12 weeks.
Mrs Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting bribes by using private jets, Chauffeur-driven luxury cars, expensive properties, purchase of luxury goods from Louis Vuitton and Harrods, £100,000 cash, and payment of school fees for her sons.
However, the former minister, alongside two others, Doye Agame and Olatimbo Ayinde, pleaded not guilty to an eight-count indictment bordering bribery and conspiracy to bribe levelled against them.
The judge, after fixing the trial date, ordered the prosecution to serve all their evidence in the case by June 2, 2025, and therefore granted bail to the three defendants on the same terms as before.
Mrs Alison-Madueke was first arrested on October 2, 2015, by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in London, after which she was granted bail.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
AHIP, IOM train 50 stakeholders on safe migration in Kano
The director called for intensified public awareness campaigns to discourage irregular migration.
Sport
Nigeria beat defending champions North Korea 3-1 to reach Women’s U-17 World Cup knockout round
Oluwakemisola Adegbuyi opened the scoring for Nigeria 15 minutes into the match.
Education
Edo assembly moves to harmonise 39 education laws
Mr Okogbe said the reform would introduce merit-driven incentives and grants for public schools.
Heading 4
State Police: 24 state assemblies approve constitutional amendment
Mr Gbajabiamila said the approval provided constitutional backing for the policing framework.
Politics
Presidential Rally: We’re expecting massive turnout in Kaduna, says APC
Mr Mada said the campaign leadership was also mindful of the possibility of a turnout exceeding the capacity of the selected venue.
Abuja
FG secures conviction of 653 terrorists in fresh mass trial in Abuja
The AGF said since the commencement of the latest phase, about 880 cases had been determined by the courts.
