Italian Court Clears Eni & Shell Over Accusations Of Corruption In Nigeria

An Italian court has cleared two global oil giants, Eni and Shell, over allegations of corruption in Nigeria.

The long-running case centred around the $1.3bn (£936m) purchase of an offshore oil block in 2011.

Prosecutors had alleged that the majority of the money was used to bribe Nigerian politicians and officials.

But the court in Milan said the two firms, and 13 defendants including past and current executives, had no case to answer.

Both companies and the accused managers, including Eni boss Claudio Descalzi, have repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Their acquittal on Wednesday came more than three years after the trial began, and there have been dozens of hearings in the time since.

However, the ruling can be appealed against.