Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has appeared before a London court as legal proceedings move closer to a full trial over alleged bribery linked to her time in office.

The court session, which took place on Monday, marked the start of preliminary processes such as jury selection and other technical matters. Alison-Madueke was physically present as the case entered this early phase. Her full trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, and is expected to last between 10 and 12 weeks.

Alison-Madueke, 65, served as Nigeria’s minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015. During that period, she made history as the first woman to hold the role and later became the first female president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. She has remained on bail since her arrest in London in October 2015 and has denied all six charges brought against her.

In 2023, the UK’s National Crime Agency formally charged her with accepting bribes between 2011 and 2015. At the time, the agency said, “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts.”

Prosecutors allege that she received benefits valued at over £100,000, including cash payments, access to chauffeur-driven vehicles, private jet flights and the use of several London properties. The indictment also lists additional alleged rewards such as luxury furniture, renovation works, domestic staff, payment of private school fees and high-end gifts from designer brands, including Louis Vuitton.

The case also involves two other defendants facing related bribery charges. Doye Agama joined the latest court hearing via video link, while Olatimbo Ayinde appeared in person in the dock.