ANEEJ urges Nigeria to hold corrupt officials accountable following UK charges against Glencore executives
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has commended the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for charging five former executives of Glencore.
These individuals are accused of conspiring to bribe officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to facilitate Glencore’s operations in West Africa.
Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, has called on the Nigerian government, particularly the Federal Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to take decisive action against Nigerian officials who allegedly accepted these bribes. He emphasized the importance of accountability for both current and former NNPCL staff involved in this corrupt scheme.
Ugolor stated, “It is crucial to investigate and prosecute those who received bribes from Glencore, in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).” He pointed out that the prosecution of the Glencore officials should serve as a catalyst for Nigeria to address its own corruption issues.
The SFO’s charges come on the heels of Glencore’s admission of guilt regarding foreign bribery and price manipulation, which resulted in hefty fines across multiple jurisdictions. The company has acknowledged paying over $100 million in bribes to various government officials, including those in Nigeria, contributing to a culture of corruption that has far-reaching implications for governance and economic stability in the country.
ANEEJ’s call for the exposure and prosecution of corrupt Nigerian officials is seen as vital for restoring Nigeria’s tarnished reputation in the international community and combating the pervasive corruption that has led to widespread poverty and discontent among its citizens.
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