Shell investigated in Nigeria bribery accusation

Shell is being investigated for bribery surrounding the granting of an oil contract in Nigeria. Investigators from the tax investigation service FIOD and the Public Prosecution office visited the Headquarters in The Hague in connection with that case, a spokesperson for the oil company said to news wire ANP.

Shell is also under investigation in Italy, along with oil company Eni, which is involved in the same deal in Nigeria. The charges relate to a 1 billion euro oil deal Shell and Eni closed in 2011. In the deal the two companies obtained exploitation rights to a potentially very lucrative oilfield off the Nigerian coast. According to the news wire, the Nigerian government funneled the money in this deal to a company owned by a controversial former oil minister.

The Italian prosecutor launched an investigation into Eni in 2014. The prosecutor is trying to find out whether Eni knew about any corruption and money laundering in Nigeria and whether bribes were paid to get the deal. This investigation is now also focusing on Shell's role in the deal, which is why the Dutch authorities were called in.

Shell announced that they are taking the allegations very seriously and will fully cooperate with the investigation. According to the Anglo-Dutch oil concern, integrity is paramount in the company. "It is one of our core values and dictates the way we do business." the spokesperson said to the news wire.