Fresh details have emerged at the ongoing bribery trial of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, as a former building contractor narrated his involvement in the renovation and management of high-value London properties allegedly linked to her.
The testimony was given at Southwark Crown Court, London, where the trial entered its fifth day.
Tony Mulcahy, a former director of Bear Rock Construction Ltd, told the court that his firm handled extensive refurbishment projects on several properties said to have been used by Alison-Madueke and members of her family between 2011 and 2014.
Documents presented before the jury, including emails and financial records, were used to support his testimony. He described his working relationship with Nigerian businessman Kolawole Aluko, who engaged his company for the projects. He said the partnership was affected by persistent payment delays.
Mulcahy explained that Bear Rock supervised major renovation works at 39 Chester Close North, London. Architectural plans shown in court indicated that a residential lift was installed in the building.
He said the facility was necessary because Alison-Madueke’s mother, who was expected to live in the property, had mobility challenges. He added that the top floor of the house was reserved for the former minister’s son, while the total renovation cost stood at about £2m.
The contractor further told the court that he had direct contact with Alison-Madueke during the projects. According to him, he met her at different properties to examine materials, including stone samples and fabric designs.
Text messages exchanged in early 2014 relating to lighting selections were also tendered. Mulcahy confirmed that he communicated with her through her personal mobile number.
A significant part of his testimony centred on financial strain caused by delayed payments. He told the court that repeated requests for funds were often followed by unfulfilled assurances.
By December 2013, Mulcahy said his company was “on the brink,” which he explained meant “going under.”
He recounted that after Aluko promised to release £200,000 which did not arrive as scheduled, Bear Rock decided to hold back a large Harrods delivery kept in storage as “leverage” to recover its money. The payment was later made shortly afterwards.
The court also heard that the financial challenges persisted into 2014. Mulcahy said he sent an email to Aluko in April of that year, stating that unpaid invoices were “ruining us,” and asked whether he should contact Alison-Madueke directly.
Aluko reportedly advised him to send a formal letter to the former minister. Mulcahy said he personally delivered the letter to her residence at St Edmund’s Terrace. About a week later, a payment of £270,000 was made through Aluko’s firm, Atlantic Energy.
He also narrated a meeting arranged by Aluko at One Hyde Park, one of London’s most exclusive residential addresses. The development angered him.
“It really annoyed me,” he said.
“Here is a man who is owing me money, and he invites me to meet him at One Hyde Park,” Mulchay added.
Further emails presented before the jury suggested that another company linked to Aluko, Tenka Limited, handled running costs for the properties used by Alison-Madueke. The expenses reportedly covered staff wages, utility bills and maintenance. One internal message instructed employees to replace references to “HM” (Honourable Minister) with “Clients” in financial records.
Mulcahy said he later sought intervention from Donald Amamgbo, introduced to him as a lawyer, in a bid to recover the mounting debts. Despite several meetings, Bear Rock Construction eventually went into voluntary liquidation.
Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, on five counts related to alleged bribery. The three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecuting counsel, Alexandra Healy, told the court that Alison Madueke “lived a life of luxury in London,” alleging that the lifestyle was funded by business figures seeking influence in Nigeria’s oil industry.
She added that the alleged inducements were provided not in cash but through luxury items and access to expensive homes.
Defence lawyers, however, argued that the former minister had no direct authority over the award of oil contracts and merely acted as a “rubber stamp” for decisions taken by relevant agencies.
Prosecutors also claimed that property renovations, luxury shopping and chauffeur services formed part of bribes from individuals whose firms benefitted from oil contracts during her tenure.
The defence rejected the allegation. They maintained that the properties and items were part of legitimate arrangements. They also argued that delays in the investigation had weakened their case because key financial documents were no longer available.
Earlier in the trial, prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke spent about £140,000 on luxury furniture and artworks in one day at an upscale antiques store in London. The purchases reportedly included customised lighting, high-end furniture and decorative art pieces, allegedly paid for through intermediaries.
Mulcahy is expected to continue his testimony when proceedings resume.
Meanwhile, members of the Ijaw community in Nigeria were present in the public gallery of the London court in solidarity with the former minister.
The Ijaw National Congress also declared support for Alison-Madueke, describing her as “our daughter,” while expressing concern over the length of her legal battle, which has lasted more than a decade.
INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said the group’s position was influenced not only by her case but also by broader concerns surrounding oil production, resource management and underdevelopment in the Niger Delta.
He noted that oil-producing communities continued to face poverty despite generating national wealth. He warned that unless structural issues in the oil sector were addressed, peace and sustainable development in the South-South region would remain difficult.
Okaba added that Alison-Madueke remains a valued member of the Ijaw nation and enjoys the backing of her people. He said the group’s intervention was intended to show solidarity and highlight the human dimension of her prolonged trial.
