A senior officer from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) provided virtual testimony in the UK bribery trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, confirming the seizure of documents from her residence during a 2015 raid.
Chinedu Eneanya, an EFCC investigator, testified via video link from Abuja on Thursday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court. The proceeding, conducted under Nigeria’s Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, 2018, was requested by UK authorities to facilitate evidence for the ongoing trial at Southwark Crown Court, where Mrs Justice Thornton presides.
Eneanya stated the EFCC received a formal request from UK counterparts to review materials recovered during the October 2, 2015, search of Alison-Madueke’s home. He confirmed that Abdulrasheed Bawa, who later served as EFCC Chairman, was the investigating officer at the time and created the inventory of seized documents. However, under cross-examination, Eneanya clarified he was not part of the original search team. He said his unit only began examining the documents in late 2024 following the UK’s request.
The witness, who has been with the EFCC since 2006, was discharged after his evidence-in-chief and cross-examination. A representative from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice reported difficulties securing the second scheduled witness, leading Justice Omotosho to adjourn the matter.
The testimony forms part of the UK prosecution’s case against Alison-Madueke, who faces six charges—five for accepting bribes and one for conspiracy—linked to oil and gas contracts awarded during her 2010-2015 tenure. British prosecutors allege she received over £100,000 in cash and benefits including private jet travel, luxury property in London, chauffeur-driven cars, and school fees for her son.
Alison-Madueke, 65, who was also the first female president of OPEC, has denied all charges since her arrest in London in 2015. She is on bail alongside two co-defendants. The trial, which began in January, is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks. Under the UK Bribery Act, a conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
The cross-border evidence-taking underscores international cooperation in major financial crime probes. Thursday’s session followed the earlier virtual testimony of four other witnesses on February 25, all pursuant to the same mutual legal assistance application.
