Former OPEC president bribed with Cartier and Louis Vuitton jewels, corruption case alleges

Diezani Alison-Maduke has been accused of corruption since her tenure as Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria. Photo: JOE CLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images

The former president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) accepted Cartier jewelry and Louise Vuitton bags as bribes, the National Crime Agency said.

Allegations of corruption has been leveled against Diezani Alison-Maduke, who is alleged to have not only received luxury goods, but also benefited from chauffeured cars, private jet flights, £100,000 in cash and private school fees.

< p>Ms. Alison-Maduke was a key figure in the Nigerian government from 2010 to 2015, during which time she also became the first female president of OPEC.

The NCA alleges that she accepted bribes during her tenure as Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources in exchange for awarding multi-million dollar oil and gas contracts.

Millions of pounds of assets linked to the alleged crimes have already been frozen. as part of an ongoing investigation.

As head of OPEC, she was responsible for overseeing 13 oil-producing countries in the Middle East, South America and Africa, including Nigeria, which together control 60% of oil sold. in global markets.

Maduke has since moved to the UK and lives in St. John's Wood, London. She will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on 2 October.

Andy Kelly, head of the NCA's international corruption team, said the million-pound contracts.

«These allegations are a milestone in thorough and complex international investigation.”

In March of this year, the NCA also provided evidence to the US. Ministry of Justice, which allowed them to recover assets totaling US$53.1m (£42m) related to Diezani Alison-Maduque's alleged corruption.

ICU officers worked closely with the Economic and Financial Commission crimes of Nigeria during the investigation, as well as with the International Anti-Corruption Focal Point.

Andrew Penhale, Chief Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “CPS authorized the NCA to charge Diezani Alison-Maduke with bribery. ”