OML 42 sales: Shell files criminal complaint against ex-employee

Royal Dutch Shell has filed a criminal complaint against a former employee over suspected bribes in the sale of a Nigerian onshore oilfield in 2011, shedding more light on the company’s activities in the country.

The suspected wrongdoing is unrelated to a court case against the Anglo-Dutch company and Eni in Italy over the acquisition of a different Nigerian oilfield, known as OPL 245, a Shell spokesman said on Wednesday.

“Based on what we know now from an internal investigation, we suspect a crime may have been committed by our
former employee… against Shell in relation to the sale process for Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42 in Nigeria,”
the spokesman said.

“We have filed a criminal complaint with the Dutch authorities and are considering other steps we could take.”

Shell sold its stake in OML 42, an aging onshore field in the Niger Delta, to Nigerian firm Neconde Energy Ltd in
February 2011.

Neconde Energy was not immediately available to comment.

As part of the internal investigation carried out in recent months, Shell discovered that kickbacks may have been
paid to a Seychelles-listed company owned by the former employee in the sale of OML 42, a source familiar with
the probe said.

The source added that offshore company was linked to two Swiss bank accounts under the employee’s name.

Shell is the largest international oil producer in Nigeria.

Comments

Jerry Eze Launches $300,000 Empowerment Grant to Support Young Business Owners

Renowned pastor, author, and global prayer movement leader, Jerry Eze , has unveiled a $300,000 grant scheme aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and supporting innovative business ideas across communities. The initiative is designed to provide financial relief, encouragement, and practical support to youths who are passionate about building sustainable businesses but face funding challenges. According to Jerry Eze, the grant scheme is part of his broader vision to promote economic empowerment, self-reliance, and hope among young people . He emphasized that many talented youths have viable ideas but lack the resources to bring them to life. Through this program, selected beneficiaries will receive funding to either start new ventures or expand existing ones. The grant is expected to be disbursed in phases, reaching multiple entrepreneurs from different sectors such as agriculture, technology, creative industries, fashion, and small-scale manufacturing. Beyond financial as...

ECOWAS declared state of emergency in West Africa

Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission declared a state of emergency on Tuesday amid escalating violent extremism and terror, military coups d’etat, banditry, and political instability in the sub-region. Touray declared this during the 55th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level in Abuja. He said the events of the last few weeks had shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of democracy and the urgent need to invest in the sub-region’s security. According to him, country-by-country analyses of member states shows different risk levels across the sub-region from high to medium, with a high risk average, which requires immediate and concerted action. “Faced with this situation, it is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency. We must confront these threats with the attention they deserve. “For that, the sessions of the mediation and security council should be organized more regularly b...

Aide Reveals Reasons Plateau Governor Is Defecting to APC

Caleb Muftwang of Plateau is set to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Mr Istifanus Nwansat, the political adviser to the governor, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Abuja. Nwansat said that the governor’s decision to join the APC was because it’s the option with the least risk in the face of the chaos in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Caleb Muftwang of Plateau is set to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report Mr Istifanus Nwansat, the political adviser to the governor, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Abuja. Nwansat said that the governor’s decision to join the APC was because it’s the option with the least risk in the face of the chaos in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He explained that the impending defection of Muftwang to the APC would also align with President Bola Tinubu’s political and governance trajectory on ...

UKEMVERANEWS

Search This Blog