A former Nigerian oil minister accused of corruption did not request or receive bribes from industry insiders, a court in London has heard.
Diezani Alison-Madueke's defence barrister told Southwark Crown Court was that money spent on her behalf on properties and luxury goods in the UK was reimbursed in Nigeria.
Others paid for her living costs because "Nigerian ministers are forbidden from having bank accounts abroad" said Jonathan Laidlaw KC.
"Those who paid the bills were paid back, in Nigeria…She did not request or receive any financial advantage from these individuals".
Alison-Madueke was Nigeria's minister of petroleum resources between 2010 and 2015, described in court as the most senior ministerial position after that of the president.
