The Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom, on Monday, adjourned till November for hearing in the £100,000 bribery case against Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Diezani had on October 2 appeared before the court and was granted £70,000 bail.
The district judge, Michael Snow, imposed other terms on her, including an 11pm to 6am curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a £70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.
During her appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Diezani provided her name, date of birth, and residential address.
Although she did not formally enter a plea, her attorney, Mark Bowen, informed the court that she would plead not guilty, Reuters reported.
In August, the UK’s National Crime Agency said it suspected that Diezani had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.
In a statement published on its website, NCA said the ex-Nigerian minister “is alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.
“Her charges also detail financial rewards, including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.”
Source : Punch
