Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke told a UK court she had limited control over oil contracts during her tenure.
She spoke on Day 18 of her trial at Southwark Crown Court, explaining how decisions passed through multiple agencies.
“The choice had been made by the time files got to my desk,” she told the court.
Meanwhile, she described her role as procedural within a complex system managing Nigeria’s vast oil sector.
“It was not a one-man state,” she added.
Furthermore, she said operational authority rested mainly with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Diezani Details Oil Sector Structure
She explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation handled core operations, while the ministry supervised.
“Operational authority rested primarily with the Group Managing Director,” she said.
She described the industry as too large for direct ministerial control.
“The sector involved thousands of workers and hundreds of oil fields,” she said.
Consequently, she argued that contract approvals followed layered institutional processes before reaching her office.
Her testimony comes amid charges filed in 2023 over alleged bribery linked to contract awards between 2010 and 2015.
Prosecutors allege businessmen funded luxury expenses on her behalf.
“I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe,” she told the court.
“…and did not abuse my office.”
Bribery Claims And Lifestyle Allegations
Prosecutors allege over £2m was spent at Harrods and millions more on UK properties tied to her associates.
They referenced links to businessman Kolawole Aluko and property holdings in London and Buckinghamshire.
However, she said expenses linked to official duties were reimbursed by the NNPC.
“Expenses incurred during official engagements were reimbursed,” she said.
She added that a logistics firm handled travel and arrangements abroad due to structural gaps at the time.
Meanwhile, she addressed the $20bn oil revenue dispute linked to Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
“What was described as missing money was clarified through audits,” she said.
She argued that subsidy payments and operational costs were misrepresented in public debate.
Security Threats And Policy Conflicts
The former minister said reforms in the subsidy system exposed her to threats.
“Investigations revealed abuses, including round-tripping,” she told the court.
She said she reported findings to anti-corruption agencies and introduced corrective measures.
Furthermore, she recounted personal security concerns during her tenure.
“My younger sister was abducted,” she said.
“My son required military protection to attend school.”
She also said she rejected requests from political and business figures seeking favours.
“I rejected such requests,” she told the court.
Meanwhile, she explained that Nigerian ministers could not operate foreign accounts, complicating overseas payments.
“On some occasions, cards were declined abroad,” she said.
She added that third parties sometimes covered costs during official trips.
The court also reviewed travel records, showing she travelled with about 30 officials during engagements.
“All official trips were properly documented,” she said.
As reported by AIT, the trial is entering a decisive phase with judgment expected soon.
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