Norway Police File Charges Over Suspected Oil Bribery In Congo Republic

Norwegian police said Monday that they have charged two Norwegian executives and an oil company with paying millions of dollars to family members of Congo Republic president Denis Sassou-Nguesso.

Norwegian police said that the investigation began after Monaco police requested legal assistance in relation to a suspicious banking transaction. They also stated that other countries such as France and the United States provided substantial assistance.

The National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime stated in a press release that "the bribes... are connected to the President of Congo and close family members and the value of the Bribes is especially high."

The Congo government has denied reports that Nguesso and his entourage were involved in corruption allegations in the awarding oil licenses. In a Tuesday statement, the government said no legal action was being taken against it.

In a statement, the government condemned "interpretations," 'allusions' and'shortcuts' that harm the reputation and honour of the president and his associates in the absence of a legal basis.

The report noted that Nguesso, as well as?members from his circle, were not subject to prosecution, investigation, or a court ruling in this case. It also stated that the judicial authorities had admitted that they did not have jurisdiction over them.

According to the statement, a part of the investigation was closed due to "lack of sufficient evidence."

Offshore Licence

Hemla 'Africa Holding AS is a wholly owned indirect'subsidiary? of the Oslo-listed oil company PetroNor, and controls a 20 percent stake in offshore PNGF Sud via Hemla E&P Congo.

PetroNor issued a statement in which it said that the indictment was categorically denied and that the company welcomed the opportunity to have the case heard in court. As of Tuesday 1516 GMT, the company's shares were down 10.5%.

According to the indictment, MGI International (which was controlled by President's family) received a 25% stake in Hemla E&P Congo and MGI received close to 25 million dollars in dividends between 2018 and 2024.

Investigators found that other payments were made in parallel to the application for a licence to drill oil in Congo.

Hemla's co-founders Knut SOEVOLD and Gerhard LUDVIGSEN, who are to stand trial with the company, have denied criminal guilt and will defend themselves with "full force", their lawyers Halvard HELLE and Arild DYNGELAND said in a press release.

The lawyers stated that "all agreements with the Congolese firm are made on commercial terms, and for purely commercial reasons. They have nothing to do corruption."

Soevold left his position as PetroNor's CEO in 2021 following a raid by the police on the company premises.

The police stated that Norway does not have jurisdiction over those who received payments.

The PNGF Sud license is located in shallow water about 25 km (15 mile) off the coast and encompasses several producing fields. Perenco is an independent Anglo French oil company that operates the PNGF Sud licence.

Perenco didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. Sassou came to power first in 1979, and ruled until 1992 when he lost Congo’s first multi-party election. He returned to office after a civil conflict in 1997. Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis, Congo Republic Newsroom, Anait Miridzhanian, Ayen Deng Bior in Dakar, and America Hernandez, Paris. Editing by Alex Richardson.

(source: Reuters)