British prosecutors have told the Southwark Crown Court in London that Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum resources, spent £140,000 on luxury furniture and decorative art in one day while allegedly receiving inducements from oil industry figures.

Alison-Madueke is on trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, on five counts relating to the alleged acceptance of bribes. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors said the former minister made the purchases at a high-end antiques store in London, acquiring bespoke lighting, premium furniture and decorative artworks. The items were allegedly paid for through intermediaries, rather than directly by Alison-Madueke.

According to the prosecution, the spending formed part of a broader pattern in which the former minister allegedly enjoyed a lavish lifestyle funded by individuals seeking influence over Nigeria’s oil sector.

Alexandra Healy, prosecuting, told the jury that Alison-Madueke “lived a life of luxury in London,” which, she said, was facilitated by business figures interested in securing oil contracts in Nigeria. She added that the alleged bribes were provided in the form of expensive goods and access to high-value properties, rather than cash payments.

During earlier proceedings on January 27, the court was told that the former minister allegedly received luxury items and the use of prime real estate as inducements while in office.

Channels Television reported that the public gallery was filled with supporters from the Ijaw community in Nigeria, several of whom travelled to London to observe the trial.

The defence has rejected the prosecution’s claims. On January 29, Jonathan Laidlaw, counsel to Alison-Madueke, told the court that his client had no real authority over the award of oil contracts during her tenure as minister.

Laidlaw argued that Alison-Madueke acted merely as a “rubber stamp” for recommendations made by relevant agencies and officials, insisting that she neither influenced contract awards nor accepted bribes.