Legal

Nigeria Withdraws $1 Billion Claim Against Eni on Oil Field Deal

Suit relates to corruption allegations over OPL 245 license
International arbitration, litigation within Nigeria continues

The ENI SpA headquarters in Rome, Italy. — The ENI SpA headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

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By Alberto Brambilla and William Clowes

November 16, 2023 at 2:44 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Nigeria is withdrawing civil claims totaling $1.1 billion against energy giant Eni SpA, ending a long battle in Italian courts over allegations of corruption in an oil-field deal.

The West African country’s justice ministry will waive the claims before Italy’s highest court “unconditionally” and “with immediate effect” no later than Nov. 17, according to a letter seen by Bloomberg. The nation will also “irrevocably” waive the right to any further legal action in Italy against Eni, its affiliates, and current and past officers in regard to rights for the field, known as Oil Prospecting License 245, or OPL 245.