Executives of Shell and Halliburton Industries were arrested and held in Nigeria, as part of an investigation into bribe schemes totaling in excess of $600 million. The Nigerian "anti-corruption police," formally their Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on November 29, took into custody employees of U.S. Oilfield service group Halliburton, and others. Applicable law stated the detainees could only be held for up to 48 hours; the employees were released just short of that figure. Those arrested included 10 Nigerian and/or relocated Halliburton staff, and one "senior employee" from each of the oil firms, Saipem Contracting, and Technip Offshore Nigeria Ltd. The Halliburton arrests were linked to a bribery case involving Halliburton former unit KBR, although the two disassociated in 2007; Halliburton has claimed no participation in the matters being investigated.
Both Halliburton and KBR were previously investigated by the US Department of Justice regarding these charges in Nigeria, and bribery scandals in other countries. KBR pleaded guilty to having paid $180m in bribes over a ten year period to Nigerian officials to obtain $6b in contracts for the Bonny Island liquefied natural gas project. KBR and Halliburton settled for $579m in the US, but other nations including Nigeria still have matters pending; France and Switzerland are among interested parties.
Former US Vice-president Cheney reportedly is about to face investigation related to this bribery scandal stemming from his years as Halliburton’s chief executive. The Nigerian anti-fraud agency has indicated it will include Cheney in charges on these issues. KBR has already entered a guilty plea. Cheney’s attorney made the statement, “All this stuff happened well over a decade ago; let bygones be bygones!”
The travel documents of those arrested are being held; the subjects cannot leave the country. Halliburton has provided the Nicaraguan commission with a statement; Peter Robinson, a Shell Oil VP, made himself available for questioning.
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Article comments
1 - Ruvy
The words "bribe" and "Nigerian" seem to go together hand in glove.
2 - Sekhar
So, you chose to ignore former US vice president Dick Cheney's role, Ruvy! Lobbying and brokering is legalized in the US. US congressmen and senators can be lobbied for one's own interests. Perhaps, countries like Nigeria and India have not yet developed to such a level. 'Questions for money' scam was unearthed in India some 6 to 7 years back. If parliamentarians can be lobbied by money, what's the use of electing them as representatives of the people. The US has a practice of legalizing a crime instead of curbing it. Poker, prostitution are only two of them.
3 - Cannonshop
Looks to me like they didn't bribe the right people, or didn't pay the amount demanded.
4 - Ruvy
Sekhar, you keep ignoring the fact that I'm an Israeli, and a former American who doesn't really give much of a damn about what the American clowns do - or don't do.
The last time the Americans did bribery as a way of doing business was when folks went to Spiro Agnew's back door with bags of cash. It eventually got him kicked out of the vice-president's residence. I don't remember if the guy did hard time or not.
What I said in comment 1 - that the words "Nigerian" and "bribe" seem to go together - apply also to the political party SHAS here in Israel.
Having said that, I'd note that Indian friends of mine tell me that compared to India's corruption, Israelis are a bunch of sainted schoolboys who do almost no wrong. Yet 88% of Israelis view their politicians as corrupt. I'm in that 88%.
5 - Christopher Rose
Ruvy, is it not the case that you are STILL an American or have you finally gone the extra mile and renounced your US citizenship, as I suggested you might consider doing quite some time back?
As to bribery, I don't have any Wikileaks type secrets to reveal but I rather think there have been far more recent examples of "bribery as a way of doing business" than Agnew's time.
6 - Ruvy
Christopher, the day is long past when "civitas Americanus est" is a statement of any meaning.
BUT, having earned the right to receive Social Security pension payments from the United States, I maintain my citizenship, on the off chance that there will be a United States in 2013 or 2014, when I apply for early retirement. I would rather be paid in silver than in fiat dollars - and who knows? Miracles do happen. I might be.
But other than that, my connections to America are in memory. Even my family there seems lost. So, I'm an Israeli.
7 - zingzing
how about a bet, ruvy? if there is not a united states in 2013 or 2014, you can pick, i will pay you your social security. just send me your ss statement. on the other hand, if there is a united states in 2013 or 2014, you have to pay your ss to me. from your point of view, this would seem a safe bet for you. if indeed i'm the one taking the risk, i'd think you'd jump at such a proposal.
8 - Ruvy
If there is no United States in 2013 (or 2014), you will not be able to pay my Social Security pension!
I grew up right near that bridge everyone wants to sell, zing. I know a little bit more about selling bridges than you do.
9 - John Lake
Will be an America in 2014? Yes, buy China and Saudi Arabia will own just about everything of any importance.
10 - John Lake
A curious post at the United Kingdom Guardian seems to suggest there was more to the Nigerian bribe schemes than now meets the eye. There are references to clandestine invasion of the Nigerian government, and to American military weapons being used to back up the schemes. Link to:
Nigeria spying
11 - zingzing
"If there is no United States in 2013 (or 2014), you will not be able to pay my Social Security pension!"
obviously, if the place moves, i'll move there. or i'll move wherever there is not chaos. so i'll use whatever currency is legal there. you'll get your money.
"I grew up right near that bridge everyone wants to sell, zing. I know a little bit more about selling bridges than you do."
i live next to the bridge. when this place falls apart, it'll be up for grabs. i'll make sure to muscle anyone else out.
sounds to me like you are hedging. do you want to make the bet?