When negotiating access to an oil field in Nigeria, Shell dealt with a convicted money-launderer. Shell, together with an Italian oil company, paid 1.3 billion dollars to the Nigerian government for the access to the oil field. 1.1 billion dollar then was passed to a firm controlled by the money-launderer.
Documents in the hand of the Italian prosecutors show that 466 million dollars was then laundered and passed on to the then president, Goodluck Jonathan, together with other members of his government.
Shell admits being engaged with the money-launderer and his company. However a Shell spokesman said:
"From the complex multi-party negotiations that followed, we knew the Federal Government of Nigeria would compensate Malabu to settle its claim on the block. We believe that the settlement was a fully legal transaction with the Federal Government of Nigeria".
Shell earlier settled this case under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for 30 million dollars. However, up until now Shell claimed to only be engaged with the Nigerian Government.
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