The corruption trial of former Nigerian petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke at Southwark Crown Court in London has taken a sensational twist, revealing the private, romantic entanglement between Alison-Madueke and billionaire businessman Kola Aluko, who is also suspected of money laundering. Prosecutors allege their relationship went far beyond business dealings in Nigeria’s oil sector.
Key evidence includes audio recordings discovered on Alison-Madueke’s Samsung phone, which allegedly capture intimate conversations and emotional exchanges between the former minister and Aluko.
Court transcripts suggest a deeply personal connection marked by loyalty and protectiveness. In one recording, Aluko reassures Alison-Madueke of his devotion, saying he is “loyal like a dog,” following suspicions of leaks within their inner circle.
A May 2014 recording, labeled the “Playboy Lecture” in court, shows Alison-Madueke scolding Aluko over his public lifestyle. She criticized his appearances with supermodels like Naomi Campbell, warning that such ostentation could attract unwanted attention from intelligence agencies. “As far as everybody’s concerned, you’re a playboy,” she admonished.
The trial also revealed disagreements over Aluko’s $80 million superyacht, the Galactica Star. Alison-Madueke reportedly advised leasing rather than buying to maintain discretion. Tensions escalated in a chilling viral recording in which she reportedly threatened, “I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself… let us see who survives, me or you.” Prosecutors argue this illustrates not only a personal pact but a dangerously intertwined relationship amidst a multi-billion-dollar corruption web.
Alison-Madueke denies all bribery charges. She is facing five counts of accepting bribes and a count of conspiracy to commit bribery while serving as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan. She is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde, an ally of President Bola Tinubu, and her brother Doye Agama, 69.
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice sought to seize nearly $145 million in assets tied to Alison-Madueke, including the Galactica Star yacht, a $50 million New York apartment, and luxury homes in California, alleging embezzlement. By 2023, civil cases concluded with the DOJ recovering roughly $53.1 million in cash and a $16 million promissory note.
Court documents allege Aluko and Jide Omokore, chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited, conspired to bribe Alison-Madueke to secure lucrative oil contracts, which were then laundered through the U.S. to buy high-end properties and yachts.
Aluko remains a central figure in global corruption probes. Despite prior indictments in Nigeria and asset seizures in the U.S. and U.K., he has never been criminally convicted. In the current London trial, witnesses depict him as pivotal in orchestrating lavish spending and cash deliveries linked to Alison-Madueke’s alleged schemes.