The jury in the bribery trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has begun deliberations after nearly four months of proceedings at Southwark Crown Court in London.

Alison-Madueke, who served as petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is standing trial on five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

The 65-year-old former minister has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke lived a life of luxury in London, claiming she was provided with high-end properties, luxury shopping trips and other benefits by oil industry figures seeking lucrative oil and gas contracts.

However, lawyers for the former minister argued that she merely acted as a “rubber stamp” for official recommendations and did not solicit or receive bribes.

“At no time did I ask, take, or seek a bribe or bribes of any sort,” Alison-Madueke told the jury when she gave evidence last month.

She is being tried alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who faces one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.

Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, 69, is also standing trial on a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery linked to his church.

Ayinde and Agama have also denied the charges against them.

The trial began in late January. The jury was sent out shortly before 11:30 a.m. GMT on Monday to consider verdicts on the eight charges involving the three defendants.

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