At the resumed hearing of the UK corruption trial involving former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, prosecutors on Thursday presented what they described as a substantial body of documentary and digital evidence before Southwark Crown Court.
Transcripts of audio recordings, WhatsApp conversations, emails, and correspondence purportedly found during searches by the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police at properties connected to the defendant were among the materials placed on the record, the prosecution informed the court.
Prosecutors presented other accusations that were allegedly based on the confiscated papers throughout the proceedings, stressing that these issues are part of the prosecution’s case and are still up for judicial decision.
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Among the topics discussed in public court were allegations made against oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, which implied that those connected to businessman Kola Aluko profited from their closeness to him.
The court also heard refrences to a purportedly bitter disagreement between Ms. Ayinde and billionaire Femi Otedola, including a purported letter to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in which she expressed worries about potential threats to her safety.
The court heard allegations of large financial transfers, luxury purchases, such as the purported acquisition of an expensive watch from Harrods, and payments purportedly made to cover medical costs.
Additionally, it was reported that Festus Keyamo, a lawyer and current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, described some of the payments as being related to property deals in a letter written in his capacity as legal counsel.
The prosecution also cited documents allegedly containing phone conversations between Nigeria’s current president, Bola Tinubu, and former vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, as well as meeting minutes involving Osinbajo’s former chief of staff, Adeola Ipaye, some of which were purportedly transcribed.
Prosecutors emphasised that all materials cited were being tendered as part of the prosecution’s evidentiary case in support of the charges before the court.
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The trial continues, with the defence expected to respond as the proceedings advance.
Diezani, a former President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is currently standing trial at Southwark Crown Court on five counts of accepting bribes and an additional count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
However, she has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery.
According to sources, prosecutors further alleged that more than £2 million was spent on Diezani’s behalf at the Brompton Road store, with some purchases made using payment cards linked to Nigerian oil magnate Kolawole Aluko and the debit card of his company, Tenka Limited.
Aluko, a petroleum and aviation tycoon featured in the Panama Papers, was already under investigation for allegedly helping Diezani Alison-Madueke transfer millions of dollars out of Nigeria as kickbacks. Prosecutors said he also held contracts with state-owned oil businesses while pursuing new ones.
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