COURT INDICTS SHELL, ENI FOR BRIBERY, CORRUPTION IN PROCUREMENT OF OPL 245 IN NIGERIA

MILAN, Italy – Royal Dutch Shell and ENI have been remanded for trial in Milan, Italy for allegation of bribery and corruption in the procurement of Oil Prospecting Licence, OPL 245 in Nigeria.

OPL 245 is an oilfield off the coast of Nigeria with an estimated nine billion barrels of oil worth more than $1bn (£746m) which was purchased in 2011.

But speaking on the development, Shell said it is disappointed by the decision of the judge to indict Shell and former employees in procurement of OPL 245 in Nigeria.

“We are disappointed by the outcome of the preliminary hearing and the decision to indict Shell and its former employees. We believe the trial judges will conclude that there is no case against Shell or its former employees.

“Shell attaches the greatest importance to business integrity. It’s one of our core values and is a central tenet of the Business Principles that govern the way we do business.

“Shell has clear rules on anti-bribery and corruption and these are included in our Code of Conduct for all staff. There is no place for bribery or corruption in our company,” Shell said.

In a statement, ENI said its board of director had reaffirmed its confidence that the firm was not involved in “alleged corrupt activities in relation to the transaction”.

The ENI also insisted that its Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi, who is also to face trial, “was not involved in the alleged illegal conduct”.

Trial will begin March 5, 2018.