Shell’s ‘Innocent’ Victory: Lawsuits Magically Disappear in Nigerian Oil Field Saga

And just in case anyone named in this saga of righteousness finds any factual inaccuracies, they’re warmly invited to point them out for correction. Because, after all, we wouldn’t want to tarnish the impeccable reputation of these paragons of corporate integrity, would we?

Posted by John Donovan: 17 November 2023

In a stunning twist of fate that’s sure to leave environmentalists and anti-corruption advocates reeling, Nigeria has decided to just give up on its pesky lawsuits against the ever-so-virtuous Shell Plc over some trivial corruption allegations in a decade-old oil field deal. It’s like watching a thrilling courtroom drama, but the good guys (obviously Shell and friends) win in the end without breaking a sweat.

The Nigerian Ministry of Justice, in a move that’s totally not suspicious at all, has gracefully bowed out of civil proceedings related to an oil block, OPL 245, before Italy’s highest court. A Shell spokesperson, probably struggling to contain their glee, confirmed this delightful turn of events. Shell’s partner, Eni SpA, also chimed in, confirming they received a letter from the government stating the claims would be withdrawn “unconditionally” by Friday. “We are pleased that this claim has been withdrawn,” said the Shell spokesperson, in what must be the understatement of the century.

Let’s not forget that operations at this oil block have been on a decade-long vacation amid ongoing legal claims. But hey, Shell, Eni, and their employees, both past and present, were definitively acquitted in a Milan criminal case last year. They were merely accused of knowing that a good chunk of the $1.1 billion they paid for the license would be used for bribes, but they always denied it. So, all’s well that ends well, right?

Adding more joy to this festival of innocence, Nigeria is also dropping civil claims totaling $1.1 billion against the Italian energy group Eni. The country’s justice ministry will wave goodbye to the claims before Italy’s highest court “unconditionally” and “with immediate effect” no later than Nov. 17. An Eni spokesperson confirmed receiving the letter and expressed delight at Nigeria’s decision.

Eni, not wanting to miss a beat, is ready to consider, along with the Nigerian government, the necessary steps for turning the license from prospecting into mining. Because why let a little thing like a corruption scandal get in the way of progress?

In 2021, a Milan court acquitted Eni, its CEO, and Shell in a corruption case surrounding the acquisition of the Nigerian oilfield. But for those who have had the pleasure of reading the eye-opening emails from the discovery process and court hearings, drawing conclusions about the honesty of all parties involved, including the Nigerian and Italian governments and the oil giants Shell and Eni, is like piecing together a plot from a corporate thriller novel.

And just in case anyone named in this saga of righteousness finds any factual inaccuracies, they’re warmly invited to point them out for correction. Because, after all, we wouldn’t want to tarnish the impeccable reputation of these paragons of corporate integrity, would we?

Updated 17 November 2023: 11.28pm

In a remarkable display of legal acrobatics, Shell has confirmed that Nigeria has, in a generous spirit, decided to withdraw civil claims totalling a whopping $1.1 billion against the company.

“We are pleased that this claim has been withdrawn. It brings to an end to all legal cases against Shell on OPL 245 in Italian courts,” said a Shell spokesperson, presumably trying to maintain a straight face while expressing their ‘surprise’ and ‘gratitude’. This statement, dripping with relief, marks the end of an epic saga where Shell, the misunderstood hero, finally emerges unscathed from the clutches of legal woes.

The company, known for its profound commitment to ethical business practices (wink wink), has been battling these allegations with the poise and grace of a swan gliding over troubled waters.

This latest development is akin to a magician’s grand finale, where the $1.1 billion claims have disappeared into thin air, leaving spectators (a.k.a. the general public) in awe. The Nigerian government’s decision to withdraw the claims is a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood movie, leaving everyone wondering about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to this spectacular denouement.

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