The trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, resumed on Day 21 at the Southwark Crown Court, with her defence pointing to businessmen Benedict Peters and Kola Aluko as key figures behind several luxury assets the prosecution alleges belonged to her.
Benedict Peters
At the centre of proceedings was a defence-prepared schedule of items, presented as a more accurate account than the prosecution’s list. It sought to distinguish between Alison-Madueke’s personal belongings and items allegedly acquired by associates or for third parties.
Under examination, she admitted owning clothing, accessories and personal effects, but denied ownership of high-value assets, including expensive furniture and luxury goods. She maintained that many of the costlier items were purchased by Peters and Aluko for their own use or shipment to Nigeria.
Kola Aluko
The defence argued that the prosecution had wrongly attributed the most expensive items to her, while her confirmed purchases were comparatively modest. Several disputed items were linked to deliveries to St Edmund’s Terrace in London, storage facilities, or referenced in invoices and emails.
The court also heard evidence of purchases at Harrods, where she described herself as a regular customer, but insisted not all transactions linked to her accounts were for her use. Some, she said, were made in her absence, suggesting others—particularly Aluko—acted independently.
On electronic purchases, she said items such as headphones and speakers were often intended as gifts distributed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to officials, community leaders and associates, especially during festive periods.
Financial records examined included an account linked to one Prince Momoh, showing deposits exceeding $160,000 used for luxury purchases. Alison-Madueke said the staggered payments reflected common Nigerian practices of making large payments in batches.
Questions over private jet travel also arose, with evidence that some flights were funded by third parties. She cited security needs and official engagements, including meetings of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, adding that some costs were later reimbursed.
She recounted multiple international trips tied to official duties, including an urgent return to Nigeria during the 2011 fuel subsidy crisis on the directive of former President Goodluck Jonathan, with the flight later reimbursed.
In emotional testimony, Alison-Madueke described her 2015 arrest in London while undergoing chemotherapy, saying her doctor intervened to secure her release.
She alleged she was targeted as a political scapegoat ahead of Nigeria’s 2015 elections, amid intense media scrutiny.
She also questioned the integrity of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, suggesting records may have been mishandled, and said this prompted her to retain personal documentation.
Since relocating to the UK in 2015, she told the court she has been unable to return to Nigeria or work, relying on support from friends and family, with the prolonged case affecting her health and finances.
The defence further distanced her from co-defendant Omolara Ayinde, saying they had no substantive relationship.
As the day ended, the defence maintained that the case rests on misattribution and circumstantial links, arguing that prosecutors have yet to establish direct ownership or control of the assets.
Proceedings continue with further cross-examination.
