By Sanni Azeezat Opeyemi (SIWES student, Gate Way Polytechnic Saapade)
The alleged bribery suit involving Diezani Allison-Madueke has been adjourned to February 23, 2024.
Justice Baumgartner announced this decision during a recent plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
During the brief inquiry, Diezani Allison-Madueke and her co-defendants, Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agame, were not required to enter a plea but only had to confirm their identities.
Diezani Allison-Madueke affirmed her identity when asked, while Doye Agame requested a variation in his bail conditions to change his overnight address within the UK, a request the judge granted.
Allison-Madueke did not seek any changes to her existing bail conditions, which require her to be at her known London address between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily.
The judge reminded both Diezani and Ayinde of their bail conditions, including the variation for Agame.
Diezani Allison-Madueke, who served in the Goodluck Jonathan administration from 2010 to 2015, is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for oil and gas contracts during her tenure as the president of OPEC from 2014 to 2015.
She has not yet entered a plea, and the trial is expected to last approximately six to seven weeks.
