The United States House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reopen the investigation into Shell and Eni’s acquisition of the rights to Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, one of Nigeria’s most lucrative oilfields, under the Foreign Corruption Practice Act (FCPA).
Lawmakers stated that evidence suggests Shell and Eni bribed Nigerian government officials, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, with $1.1 billion. They stated, “Available evidence implicates both companies in a scheme that resulted in the payment of $1.1 billion in bribes to Nigerian government officials, including then President Goodluck Jonathan. Shell and Eni, both registered with the US Security and Exchange Commission, continue to profit from the deal in violation of FCPA.”