Jury begins deliberations in bribery trial of Nigeria's ex-oil minister Alison-Madueke

LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) - The jury ​in the ⁠bribery trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, ​Nigeria's former oil minister, on Monday began their deliberations after nearly four ​months ‌at London's Southwark Crown Court.

Alison-Madueke, Nigeria's minister for petroleum resources between 2010 ⁠and 2015 under then-President Goodluck Jonathan, has ⁠pleaded not guilty ​to five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Prosecutors allege Alison-Madueke, 65, led a "life of luxury" ​in London, ‌being given high-end properties to stay in and taken on luxury shopping sprees by industry figures interested in lucrative oil and gas contracts.

But lawyers for the former minister, ​who was also briefly president of the Organization of the ‌Petroleum Exporting Countries, argued Alison-Madueke was merely a "rubber stamp" for official recommendations.

"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.

Alison-Madueke stood trial alongside oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, who is ‌charged with one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and a separate count of bribery of a foreign public official.

Alison-Madueke's brother, ⁠69-year-old ⁠Doye Agama, is charged with conspiracy to ‌commit bribery relating to Agama's church. They both deny the charges.

After a trial ​which began ​in late January, the jury was ‌sent out just before 1130 GMT on Monday to consider their verdicts on the eight charges the three defendants face. (Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by William James)