Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke told a UK court that her role in approving oil contracts was largely routine, stating that major decisions were already taken before documents reached her desk.
Speaking at Southwark Crown Court in London, she explained that the structure of Nigeria’s oil sector meant she had limited direct control, as key operations were handled by the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“The system was already in motion before files came to me,” she said, adding that the size and complexity of the industry made it difficult for a minister to oversee everything directly.
She said she rarely declined contract approvals because they had already passed through detailed technical and regulatory checks.
“I was, in many instances, a rubber stamp in the process,” she said.
Diezani also recounted a 2014 incident in which she discovered a questionable crude oil deal allegedly linked to businessman Igho Sanomi. She said the matter came to light following a whistleblower report, prompting her to cancel the arrangement.
However, she told the court that powerful individuals opposed her decision and escalated complaints to then President Goodluck Jonathan.
On allegations that $20 billion in oil revenue went missing, she disagreed with former Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi, insisting the reports were inaccurate.
“There were no missing funds as widely reported,” she said, explaining that audits and legislative reviews later showed the money was tied to subsidy payments and operational costs.
She acknowledged serious challenges in the fuel subsidy system, including multiple claims by some marketers, but said reforms were introduced to reduce fraud.
According to her, these efforts came with risks. She said she faced security threats, including the kidnapping of family members, which she linked to her attempts to challenge powerful interests in the sector.
She also said politicians and business figures frequently pressured her office for preferential treatment in oil allocations.
“I declined requests that did not follow due process,” she said.
Addressing questions about her personal finances, Diezani said she used Nigerian bank cards even during foreign trips, in line with rules preventing public officials from holding foreign accounts.
She added that the cards sometimes failed abroad, forcing others to temporarily cover expenses.
The court also examined records of her official trips between 2011 and 2015.
She said she usually travelled with about 30 officials, including aides, security personnel, and protocol staff.
“All movements were documented and archived in ministry records,” she said, noting that both commercial and chartered flights were used depending on official requirements.
Despite the allegations against her, Diezani insisted her time in office focused on increasing local participation in the oil sector and improving transparency, saying she has been unfairly portrayed.
She is currently on trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agama on five counts related to bribery.
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing in London.
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