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Unaoil Group companies summonsed as part of SFO’s ongoing corruption investigation

26 June, 2018 | News Releases

Today the Serious Fraud Office has commenced criminal proceedings against Unaoil Monaco SAM and Unaoil Ltd as part of an ongoing corruption prosecution.

This follows charges already brought against four individuals for alleged conspiracy to make corrupt payments to secure the award of contracts in Iraq.

Unaoil Ltd has been summonsed with two offences of conspiracy to give corrupt payments, contrary to section (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906.

This relates to alleged corrupt payments to secure the award of a contract worth US$733 million to Leighton Contractors Singapore PTE Ltd for a project to build two oil pipelines in southern Iraq.

Unaoil Monaco SAM has been summonsed with two offences of conspiracy to give corrupt payments, contrary to section (1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906.

The charges relate to alleged corrupt payments to secure the award of contracts in Iraq to Unaoil’s client SBM Offshore.

The first appearance for the companies will be held at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 July 2018.

Notes to editors:

  1. The SFO opened its investigation into Unaoil in March 2016.
  2. The SFO charged four individuals in relation to alleged corrupt payments to secure the award of contracts in Iraq to SBM Offshore in November 2017 – see press releases.
  3. The SFO charged two individuals in relation to alleged corrupt payments to secure the contract to Leighton Contractors Singapore PTE Ltd in May 2018 – see press release.
  4. Unaoil Monaco SAM and Unaoil Ltd are represented by Jo Rickards of Mishcon de Reya.
  5. The strict liability rule in the Contempt of Court Act 1981 applies.

 

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