Italy’s Supreme Court Acquits Prosecutors in High-Profile Corruption Case
Italy’s Supreme Court has cleared two prosecutors in Milan from accusations of failing to disclose evidence that could have supported the defense of Eni, a major player in the energy sector, in a prominent international corruption trial concerning Nigeria’s OPL245 oil block. The Court of Cassation’s decision, reported by Reuters, annulled an earlier ruling, declaring that “there was no crime” involved in the actions of prosecutors Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro.
Details of the Legal Dispute
This ruling brings to a close a long-standing legal battle related to the prosecution of Eni, Shell, and various individuals regarding the acquisition of Nigeria’s offshore oil field OPL 245—a transaction valued at around $1.3 billion. The case has attracted significant scrutiny due to allegations of corruption linked to the deal.
Background of the Charges
Prosecutors accused executives from Eni and Shell of being aware that a substantial portion of the $1.1 billion deposited into an escrow account for the deal would potentially be funneled as bribes. Both companies have consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the legal proceedings and were ultimately acquitted.
Former Nigerian Attorney-General Acquitted
In a related development, Mohammed Adoke, the former Federal Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in Nigeria, was acquitted in April 2024 of charges stemming from the same corruption case. Adoke was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of unlawfully benefiting from the Malabu deal he facilitated in 2011. However, the court found insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s claims.
Recent Court Findings
A Milan court declared Eni, Shell, and other defendants not guilty in what is regarded as one of the largest corruption trials in the oil industry, in March 2021. Prosecutors alleged that a significant amount of the funding was misappropriated to benefit Nigerian officials and middlemen. Subsequent legal action against De Pasquale and Spadaro was based on claims that they failed to disclose documents that could have benefited the defense during the OPL No. 245 trial.
Outcome of the Prosecution’s Allegations
The Italian court’s recent ruling comes nearly two years after a Brescia court had convicted De Pasquale and Spadaro in 2024, finding them guilty of withholding crucial documents during the trial. Initially sentenced to eight months of suspended prison time, the prosecutors have now been acquitted following the latest judgment.
Reactions to the Verdict
Following the verdict, Massimo Di Noia, one of the prosecution’s lawyers, expressed his relief, stating that the acquittal restores a sense of justice after years of legal turmoil. The prosecutor general had also advocated for their complete exoneration during the proceedings. The Brescia court’s October 2024 ruling had previously upheld the charges against the prosecutors, emphasizing their failure to fulfill their legal responsibilities.
