UK Court Told Diezani Alison-Madueke Spent £140,000 in One Day on Luxury Goods
A British court has been told that former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, spent as much as £140,000 in just one day on luxury items, as part of evidence presented in an ongoing case involving alleged proceeds of corruption.
Prosecutors told the court that the former minister used large sums of money on high-end designer goods, expensive jewellery, and luxury accessories while living in the United Kingdom. The spending, they said, was part of a broader pattern of lavish lifestyle funded by funds suspected to be linked to corrupt practices during her time in office.
According to the prosecution, financial records showed that Diezani made multiple high-value purchases within a single day at luxury stores in London. These purchases reportedly included designer handbags, shoes, and other premium fashion items from top international brands.
The court heard that investigators traced millions of pounds in suspicious transactions linked to accounts and assets allegedly connected to the former minister. British authorities are seeking the forfeiture of properties and funds they believe were acquired using proceeds of crime.
Diezani Alison-Madueke served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015 and was the first woman to hold the position. Since leaving office, she has faced multiple corruption-related allegations in Nigeria and abroad, all of which she has previously denied.
Her legal team has maintained that the assets and spending cited by prosecutors were obtained lawfully and that the case is politically motivated. They argue that there is no direct proof linking the luxury purchases to illicit funds.
The UK case is part of wider international efforts involving Nigerian and foreign authorities to recover assets allegedly linked to corruption. Several properties and bank accounts connected to Diezani have already been seized or frozen in previous actions by law enforcement agencies.
Observers say the case highlights the increasing cooperation between countries in tackling financial crimes and tracing illicit wealth across borders. The court is expected to continue hearing evidence from both sides in the coming days.
A ruling on the forfeiture of the assets involved is expected at a later date, depending on the outcome of the proceedings.
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