By Trendsetter Tribune 
LONDON — A Southwark Crown Court was gripped by high drama on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, as prosecutors played secret recordings of former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke allegedly threatening to “bring everything out” and take her business associates to jail with her. The recordings, captured on a Samsung phone seized during her 2015 arrest, provide a rare, unfiltered look into the fractured relationships behind one of the largest corruption investigations in African history.
The trial, which began in late January, centers on allegations that Alison-Madueke accepted bribes in the form of luxury London properties, private jet flights, and multimillion-dollar shopping sprees in exchange for awarding lucrative oil contracts.
The Recorded Confrontations
The court heard two distinct conversations recorded in 2014, when the former minister reportedly believed her business partners were planning to “take her down” by leaking information to investigators.
- The Jailhouse Threat: In a heated exchange with businessman Olajide Omokore, Alison-Madueke could be heard saying, “I will be happy to escort all of you to jail along with myself.” She warned that if pushed, she would “come out openly and say it so they [the Nigerian people] can judge me openly.”
- The “Loyal Like a Dog” Defense: In a separate recording with Kola Aluko, the businessman tried to reassure her, stating he had “a million flaws” but was “loyal like a dog.” He mentioned having placed sensitive materials in a safety deposit box as a form of insurance to “save me from jail.”
- Criticism of Excess: Alison-Madueke was heard scolding Aluko for his “lavish, lascivious lifestyle,” specifically mentioning his public association with British supermodel Naomi Campbell. She told him, “The time for parading these things was not now,” warning that “intelligencer” would begin following him.+1
Testimony of the “Luxury Lifestyle”
The recordings were presented alongside testimony from former staff and contractors who described a life of unparalleled excess in London between 2011 and 2015.
| Witness Category | Key Testimony |
| Household Staff | Former drivers and cooks testified to chauffeuring the minister on shopping sprees where millions were spent in cash. |
| Contractors | A refurbishment contractor confirmed receiving millions of pounds to renovate a string of high-end London homes allegedly used by Alison-Madueke. |
| Retail Evidence | Evidence was presented showing over £2 million ($2.7 million) spent at Harrods using bank cards linked to Aluko and his company, Tenka Limited. |
The Defense Position
Alison-Madueke, who appeared in court wearing a dark coat and headscarf, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy.
- “The Rubber Stamp”: Her legal team argued on Wednesday that the former minister was merely a “rubber stamp” for official decisions and lacked the unilateral influence prosecutors claim she had.
- Lack of Direct Evidence: The defense maintains she never requested or received a “financial advantage” and noted that the men accused of bribing her—Aluko and Omokore—have not been charged or extradited in this specific UK case.
The “Playboy” Mogul: Kola Aluko
While Aluko is not on trial in London, his presence looms large over the proceedings. Once a regular fixture on the international social circuit, Aluko has been the subject of multiple asset forfeiture suits in the U.S. and Nigeria.
- The Yacht Scandal: Prosecutors previously detailed how Aluko’s $82 million yacht, the Galactica Star, was allegedly purchased with laundered oil money.
- Missing in Action: Nigerian authorities had previously dropped charges against Aluko in 2016 simply because they were unable to locate him to serve court papers, though he was later spotted in Switzerland.
The trial is expected to continue through April 2026.