Nigerian Government Files $1.1 Billion Lawsuit Against Shell, ENI
14 December 2018 - 4:02AM
Dow Jones News
By Adam Clark
The government of Nigeria said Thursday it has filed a $1.09
billion claim against Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA.LN) and ENI SpA
(ENI.MI) in London, opening a new front in a long-running dispute
over a 2011 oilfield deal.
Nigeria's claim concerns OPL 245, a prospecting license for a
major offshore oil block purchased by Shell and ENI in 2011.
Nigeria alleges Shell and ENI engaged in bribery and unlawful
conspiracy.
"This claim reflects the determination and ongoing efforts of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria to recover the very significant
sums lost to corruption and the unlawful activity of Shell and ENI
in this transaction," said Tom Hibbert of RPC, acting as solicitors
for the Nigerian government.
The OPL 245 deal is already the subject of a prosecution in
Italy, and an investigation in the Netherlands. Shell and ENI have
both previously denied wrongdoing.
A spokesperson for Shell said Thursday the company maintains the
deal was a fully legal transaction.
"Since this matter is before the Tribunal of Milan, it would not
be appropriate for us to comment in detail on the new claims that
have been made by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, based
on our review of the Prosecutor of Milan's file and all of the
information and facts available to us, we do not believe that there
is a case to answer in this matter," the spokesperson said.
ENI didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Write to Adam Clark at adam.clark@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 13, 2018 11:47 ET (16:47 GMT)
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