Jury Deliberates in Nigeria's Ex-Oil Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Bribery Trial
Overview of the Diezani Alison-Madueke Bribery Case
Jury Begins Deliberations
LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) - The jury in the bribery trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria's former oil minister, on Monday began their deliberations after nearly four months at London's Southwark Crown Court.
Background on Diezani Alison-Madueke
Role as Petroleum Minister
Alison-Madueke, Nigeria's minister for petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015 under then-President Goodluck Jonathan, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Allegations and Prosecutors' Claims
Prosecutors allege Alison-Madueke, 65, led a "life of luxury" in London, being given high-end properties to stay in and taken on luxury shopping sprees by industry figures interested in lucrative oil and gas contracts.
Defense Arguments
But lawyers for the former minister, who was also briefly president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, argued Alison-Madueke was merely a "rubber stamp" for official recommendations.
Alison-Madueke's Testimony
"At no time did I ask, take, or seek a bribe or bribes of any sort," Alison-Madueke told the jury when she gave evidence last month.
Co-Defendants and Charges
Olatimbo Ayinde
Alison-Madueke stood trial alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who is charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.
Doye Agama
Alison-Madueke's brother, 69-year-old Doye Agama, is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery relating to Agama's church. They both deny the charges.
Jury's Task and Next Steps
After a trial which began in late January, the jury was sent out just before 1130 GMT on Monday to consider their verdicts on the eight charges the three defendants face.
Reporting Attribution
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by William James)
