The international corruption case against Eni, Shell and some officials of the companies resumed in Milan Court on Wednesday. Public prosecutors responded to conclusions by defense lawyers from previous hearings. The trial is about to come to an end and a court judgment is expected on March 17, 2021.
Despite opposition by the oil companies at the last sitting of the Court, the Milan Court has accepted as evidence relevant in the trial, emails involving former Nigerian AG Adoke Bello and JPMorganChase bank officials and acquired by Milan prosecutors from UK authorities through MLA.
From the new evidence, it emerged that former Attorney General of the Federation under former President Jonathan, Mr. Bello Adoke, sent instructions of transfer of OPL245 1.1$ bn paid by Eni and Shell from email address of AGroupProperties of Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, known as “Mr. Corruption”. Milan Court denies Adoke Bello’s claim that the email was not his.
Milan public prosecutor Fabio De Pasquale said “Internal email of senior compliance officer at JPMorgan denies Eni’s claim that the bank got a green light for the transfer of OPL245 money by SOCA, the UK financial intelligence authority preventing money laundering”.
Adoke has last week issued a statement and falsely accused the Italian Prosecutor of Fabricating evidence against him claiming, “I have read with dismay reports of the attempt by the Italian prosecutor to tender fabricated evidence concerning me in the on-going OPL 245 proceedings before a Milan court to which I am not a party.” He further stated “I wish to categorically declare that the so-called email is a figment of imagination of the Italian prosecutors…..”.
According to the evidence presented by the prosecutor, the former AGF shared with JPMorgan an unofficial copy of the resolutions agreements of OPL245 then signed by the FGN with Eni and Shell and Malabu of Dan Etete. Does this mean that Aliyu Abubakar knew much about negotiations on the deal because Mr. Adoke regularly informed him?
Lawyer Lucio Lucia, representing the Republic of Nigeria as civil party also responded to objections of defenses, “Contrary to the claim that Eni’s then CEO Scaroni interrupted negotiations for OPL245, emails show that current CEO Descalzi was instead pushing to go ahead”.
The court has adjourned till Feb 24th when Eni and Shell managers and companies’ defense lawyers will have their final response to prosecutors and FRN. That might be the last hearing before the verdict expected on March 17th.
According to HEDA Chairman, Italy’s system of independent magistrates sets it at the forefront of international fight against corruption. Unlike some other jurisdictions, Italian magistrates have prosecuted the OPL245 case without fear or favour. Milan prosecutors De Pasquale and Spadaro have followed the evidence on OPL245 – even if this has meant taking on two of Europe’s most powerful countries, Eni and Shell. Italians should be proud of the Milan prosecutors. They have greatly enhanced the country’s reputation abroad.