Eni, the Italian-based energy giant, has taken legal action against Oando Energy Resources and several prominent individuals in connection with an alleged cheating scandal related to a 2019 oil contract, News About Nigeria gathered.
The move follows an investigation by the Milan prosecutor’s office, which uncovered suspicious activities surrounding a crude oil delivery made by Nigerian company Oando.
The contract in question involved the oil delivery to Eni, which the company ultimately rejected. Rumors had circulated that the oil, supplied by the Nigerian firm, was of at least partial Iranian origin. The Iranian connection raised concerns, given the strict sanctions imposed by the United States in 2018 after the U.S. withdrew from an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program.
At the center of the controversy is Omamofe Boyo, the executive director of Oando Energy Resources and the current deputy CEO of Oando. Alongside Boyo, the Milan prosecutor’s office has also implicated Francesco Mazzagatti, a former partner and ex-director of Italian gasoline trading firm Napag, and Massimo Mantovani, the former head of Eni Trading and Shipping (ETS).
A legal review, scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 12, 2023, will evaluate the evidence and determine whether a full trial is necessary. This process is expected to extend over several months.
Notably, Mazzagatti is now the CEO of Viaro, which acquired North Sea oil production company RockRose in 2020. Representatives of Mazzagatti, in both London and Italy, have categorically denied any involvement in the alleged scam, emphasizing his separation from the earlier project in question.
Mantovani’s attorney, citing a lack of territorial jurisdiction, has vowed to prove his client’s innocence and advocated for moving the proceedings to Potenza.
Legal counsel for Oando and Omamofe Boyo have staunchly denied any wrongdoing, asserting, “If there was any deception, we too are deceived, not deceivers.”
Omamofe Boyo indirectly holds a 19.1 percent stake in Oando, one of Nigeria’s largest energy companies.
The legal proceedings promise to shed light on the intricate web of allegations and suspicions surrounding the 2019 oil contract and will determine the fate of the individuals and companies involved. As the investigation unfolds, the energy industry watches closely to see how this high-stakes legal battle will impact the future of Eni, Oando, and the individuals implicated in this complex and contentious case.
