By Giulia Petroni

Eni SpA said late Tuesday that Milan prosecutors' requests for conviction of its former and current CEO in a trial over alleged corruption in Nigeria are "completely groundless."

"Eni trusts that the truth can finally be re-established following the defensive arguments that will be presented at the end of September, pending the Milan Court's forthcoming verdict," it said, denying any wrongdoing.

The case revolves around the Italian oil-and-gas major and Royal Dutch Shell PLC's acquisition of a Nigerian oilfield in 2011. Italian prosecutors allege the companies were aware that most of the $1.3 billion paid to the Nigerian government to acquire drilling rights would be distributed as bribes.

Referring to a previously issued statement, Shell said Wednesday it believes there's no basis to convict the company or any of its former employees. "There is no place for bribery or corruption in our company," it said.

Write to Giulia Petroni at giulia.petroni@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 22, 2020 03:49 ET (07:49 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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