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By Correspondent in Abuja.
(C) Google.
Four witnesses on Wednesday testified virtually before the Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with the ongoing trial of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, at the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom.
Our correspondent reports that the proceedings were conducted via video link by Justice James Omotosho in line with the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, 2018, and other applicable laws.
The hearing followed a request from the UK Central Authorities seeking the testimony of witnesses located in Nigeria for use in the criminal trial presided over by Mrs Justice Thornton in London.
The matter, marked CS/72/2026 on Justice Omotosho’s cause list, is titled: “In the Matter of Application for the Taking of the Evidence of Witnesses in Nigeria via Video Link for Use in Criminal Proceedings in Accordance with the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act.”
The four witnesses, whose identities were withheld, began their testimony at about 11 a.m. Nigerian time. The trial judge in London, members of the jury and the defendants logged in and participated in the proceedings.
After taking the witnesses’ evidence, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Thursday at 11 a.m. Nigerian time, for the testimony of two additional witnesses.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015, was the first woman to hold the position and also the first female president of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) between 2014 and 2015.
The 65-year-old has been on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015.
She is facing six corruption-related charges in the UK, including five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to UK authorities and media reports, the charges relate to the alleged awarding of oil and gas contracts during her tenure.
British investigators alleged that she received at least £100,000 in cash, along with other benefits described by prosecutors as “financial or other advantages,” including private jet flights, chauffeur-driven cars, the use and maintenance of London properties, luxury goods, and school fees for her son.
The trial, which commenced on Jan. 26 in the UK, is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks and could attract significant penalties if she is convicted.
Under the UK Bribery Act, a conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Edited by Dada Ahmed
