By Kamsi Anayo with agency report
A Westminster Magistrates Court in the United Kingdom—UK, presided over by Michael Snow, on Monday, granted former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, bail to the whooping sum of £70,000 over her alleged involvement in £100,000 bribery scandal.
Diezani who appeared in court today to answer her charges was also slammed with other sanctions including an 11pm to 6am curfew, an electronic tag to be worn by her at all times and a £70,000 surety to be paid before she could leave the court building.
Reuters reports that during her appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court, she provided her name, date of birth, and address.
Although, she did not formally enter a plea, her attorney, Mark Bowen, informed the court that she would plead not guilty, according to the report by Reuters.
Her next court appearance will be at Southwark Crown Court, which handles serious criminal cases, on Oct. 30.
Recall that the UK’s National Crime Agency in August, said it suspected Diezani had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.
In a statement published on its website, the agency disclosed that Diezani “is alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.
“Her charges also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods.”
In March 2023, the NCA also provided evidence to the US Department of justice that enabled them to recover assets totalling USD 53.1 million linked to Diezan’s alleged corruption.
