Nigeria Content Online

Julius Berger Ltd
was handed a reprieve yesterday after the Federal Government withdrew
all charges against the construction giant in the ongoing Halliburton
bribery scandal.

The Attorney
General and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke who confirmed this
yesterday said a secret agreement had been reached with the
construction firm.

This adds another
twist to the ongoing saga and comes less than a month after a Federal
High Court judge, David Okorowo, disqualified himself from hearing the
$180 million Halliburton scam.

Mr. Adoke told
journalists yesterday in Abuja that following media reports, the
federal government has had to effect amendments to the charges brought
against certain persons in connection with the matter.

“After a further
review of the investigation reports as well as the totality of evidence
available, I have approved the request of the prosecution team that the
charges against the Julius Berger parties be withdrawn,” he said.

“Consequently, the Julius Berger parties have entered into an agreement with the FGN.”

Secret deal

Mr. Adoke said
whilst the agreement is subject to confidentiality, “the Julius Berger
parties entered into the agreement on the basis of no admission of
liability, culpability or guilt.” He added that Julius Berger Nigeria
Ltd will institute a scheme of corporate compliance monitoring to
improve and strengthen its internal controls and mechanisms for a
period of two years.

Furthermore, the
minister said the company will publicly affirm and restate its
commitment to the dictates of good corporate citizenship through
advertorial messages in electronic and print media outlets with
national coverage. “Julius Berger Nig Ltd will make an ex-gratia
payment to the Federal Government.” He also said he was confident that
the terms of settlement and release agreement are prudent and practical
taking into account the available evidence and the potential hurdle of
the evidentiary burden of proof.

“As a corollary,
let me add that the FGN intends to file a civil action against
Halliburton Corporation in the United States to seek compensation and
restitution within the next 14 days.” However, Mr. Adoke refused to
take further questions from journalists and dashed to his office
immediately after the briefing.

At the last hearing
of the case, the government’s counsel, Olu Fatunde, informed the court
that he had yet to serve the suspects with court processes.

Mr. Okorowo said
the matter could not be mentioned if the suspects were not in court and
had not been served yet, and sent the case file to the chief judge for
re-assignment to another judge and adjourned the suit, pending when it
is assigned.

“I have no jurisdiction to entertain this matter,” declared Mr. Okorowo.

History

Several foreign
companies, most notably the U.S. oil and gas giant, Halliburton, are
accused of paying bribes worth millions of dollars to high-ranking
government officials during the process to award the contract for
Africa’s first liquefied natural gas plant in 2002 and 2003.

The suspects
include some of the nation’s most powerful people, but Mr. Adoke
assured Nigerians that the trial would be conducted without bias, as it
would boost President Goodluck Jonathan’s anti-corruption credentials
as the 2011 elections approached.

Suspects expected
to be arraigned are George Mark, the former personal assistant to
ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo ; Ibrahim Aliyu, a former federal
permanent secretary; Hans George Christ; Heinrich J. Stockhausen;
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc; Bilfinger Berger GMBH; AVM Abdullahi Dominic
Bello; Mohammed Gidado Bakare; Urban Shelter Limited; Intercellular
Nigeria Limited; Sheerwood Petroleum Limited; Tri-Star Investment
Limited; Maizube Holdings Limited; TSKJ Nigeria Limited – (a) Technip
S.A.; (b)Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V.; (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc.;
(d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan.