Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, told a UK court that her role in approving oil contracts was mostly routine, as key decisions had already been made before documents reached her.
Speaking at Southwark Crown Court in London, she explained that the structure of Nigeria’s oil sector limited her direct control, with major operations handled by the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“The system was already in motion before files came to me,” she said.
She added that she rarely rejected contract approvals because they had already passed through technical and regulatory checks.
“I was, in many instances, a rubber stamp in the process,” she said.
Diezani also recalled a 2014 incident involving a questionable crude oil deal allegedly linked to businessman Igho Sanomi. She said the deal was uncovered through a whistleblower report and was later cancelled.
However, she claimed that powerful individuals resisted her decision and reported the matter to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
On claims that $20 billion in oil revenue went missing, Diezani 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 reviews later showed the money was used for subsidy payments and operational costs.
She admitted there were serious issues 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 claimed she faced security threats, including the kidnapping of family members, which she linked to her attempts to challenge powerful interests.
She also said politicians and business figures often pressured her for special treatment in oil allocations.
“I declined requests that did not follow due process,” she said.
Addressing her personal finances, Diezani stated that she used Nigerian bank cards even during foreign trips, in line with rules preventing public officials from owning foreign accounts. She added that the cards sometimes failed abroad, forcing others to temporarily cover her expenses.
The court also reviewed records of her official travels 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.
Despite the allegations, Diezani maintained that her time in office focused on improving transparency and increasing local participation in the oil sector, adding that she has been unfairly portrayed.
She is currently on trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agama on five counts related to bribery. All defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing in London.
