Nigerian oil graft trial postponed
Publish date: 12 March 2018
Issue Number: 765
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: General
An Italian court has postponed the graft trial of Nigeria’s Eni and Shell firms because of a backlog of other cases. The Premium Times reports that the case involves the 2011 purchase by Eni and Shell of Nigeria's OPL-245 offshore oilfield – one of Africa's most valuable oil blocks – for about $1.3bn. Milan prosecutors claim bribes were paid to win the licence to explore the field. Former Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete, and former Attorney-General, Bello Adoke are among several Nigerians indicted in the deal which was approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Shell and Eni's Nigerian subsidiary, Agip, have denied wrongdoing. The trial, which was scheduled to start last Monday, was postponed to 11 May.
