Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has appeared before the Southwark Crown Court in London, United Kingdom, for a preliminary hearing in her ongoing trial over alleged bribery offences.
The case, which was listed before Justice Thornton on Monday, marks a significant stage in the legal proceedings against the former minister, who served in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010 and 2015.
Alison-Madueke made history during her tenure as Nigeria’s first female petroleum resources minister and later as the first woman to serve as president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The preliminary hearing is expected to address procedural matters ahead of the substantive trial, during which the court will consider the bribery allegations brought against her by UK authorities.
Further hearings are anticipated as the case progresses, with the court expected to set timelines for the full trial in the coming weeks.
