Italian Court Upholds Prison Sentence For Prosecutors In Eni-Shell Nigerian Oilfield Corruption Case

An Italian appeals court on Thursday confirmed eight-month prison sentences for two Milan prosecutors over their failure to present critical documents that could have supported energy giant Eni’s defence in the landmark international corruption trial concerning Nigeria’s oil sector.

The long-running case revolves around the controversial $1.3 billion acquisition of OPL 245, a prominent Nigerian oilfield, by Eni and Shell a decade ago.

This transaction has been under scrutiny for alleged corruption and bribery, making it one of the largest energy sector scandals affecting Nigeria and Europe.

Despite the prosecutors’ omission of crucial evidence, all defendants including Eni and Shell were acquitted by a Milan court in March 2021.

However, Reuters reports that the Italian court in Brescia ruled that prosecutors Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro breached their legal responsibilities by not filing a vital video recorded by a former external Eni lawyer, which the court stated was relevant and could have influenced the trial outcome.

During Thursday’s hearing, prosecutor Sergio Spadaro told the court there was no intentional omission, maintaining that his actions were in accordance with the law and conscience.

Their lawyer, Massimo Dinoia, said the prosecutors would appeal the decision to the Court of Cassation, Italy’s highest court.

The Brescia court, which oversees judicial conduct in Milan, stressed that prosecutors’ failure to disclose evidence undermines judicial transparency and the principles of fair trial—a matter that resonates deeply given Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to fight corruption in its oil and gas sector.

While the appeal is pending, De Pasquale and Spadaro will continue in their prosecutorial roles.

This ruling adds a new layer of complexity to a case that has attracted international attention, highlighting challenges in judicial processes tied to major economic interests in Nigeria’s oil industry.