The corruption trial of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke entered its final phase on Monday at Southwark Crown Court, as the judge issued detailed instructions to the jury before prosecutors began their closing arguments.
Presiding judge, Justice Justine Thornton, informed jurors that all evidence had been concluded and reminded them that their verdict must be based solely on the law and evidence presented in court.
She emphasised that the burden of proof rested entirely on the prosecution and that the defendants were under no obligation to prove their innocence. Jurors were also instructed to examine each of the eight charges independently and avoid being influenced by outside factors.
The judge specifically warned the jury against considering Nigerian politics, media narratives, cultural practices, assumptions about wealth or gender, or the role of international oil firms while assessing the case.
Thornton further instructed jurors not to speculate about individuals mentioned during proceedings but not standing trial, including Kolawole Aluko, Olajide Omokore, Benedict Peters, Igho Sanomi, Kevin Okyere, and Prince Momoh, stressing that their culpability was not under consideration.
In outlining the legal standards for several charges, the judge told jurors to determine whether Alison-Madueke improperly accepted financial or other benefits, regardless of local customs or her personal beliefs about the conduct.
For some allegations, the jury must decide whether benefits were channelled through intermediaries and whether the former minister knew such arrangements were improper.
Regarding a charge connected to alleged payments aimed at influencing business decisions involving Emmanuel Kachikwu, the judge stated that jurors must acquit if they believed one of the accused acted as an informant.
Thornton also reminded jurors that Alison-Madueke and her co-defendant had no prior convictions, which could be considered in their favour. She added that the long delay since the alleged offences may have disadvantaged the defence due to missing witnesses or unavailable records.
Following the instructions, lead prosecutor Alexandra Healy argued that Alison-Madueke held a position of immense public trust while business figures pursuing oil contracts allegedly funded her lifestyle through improper benefits.
The prosecution rejected the defence’s claim that the payments had been reimbursed in Nigeria, noting that no documentary evidence had been produced despite years of investigation and that the explanation had not appeared in earlier police interviews.
Among the allegations highlighted was a £1 million payment allegedly linked to Benedict Peters, which prosecutors described as concealed through intermediary structures to disguise its true purpose.
The prosecution also pointed to evidence involving card payments, dollar accounts, and digital communications — including WhatsApp messages — which it said demonstrated awareness of improper transactions and suggested some payments were intended as inducements.
Prosecutors dismissed claims that one defendant acted as a whistleblower, insisting that the evidence instead indicated personal financial interests.
Closing arguments are expected to continue before the jury retires to deliberate on the eight counts, with a verdict anticipated later this week.
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