Norway Charges Oil Executives and Firm in Major Congo Bribery Case
OSLO — Norwegian prosecutors have filed bribery charges against two individuals and a subsidiary of the Oslo-listed PetroNor oil group, alleging they paid approximately $25 million in bribes to Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso and his family to secure a lucrative offshore oil license.
The charges, announced by Norway’s National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim), center on payments allegedly made in 2016. At that time, a joint venture involving PetroNor’s subsidiary submitted an application for an oil exploration license in Congo’s coastal waters.
According to the prosecution, the joint venture was structured with a 75% stake held by the PetroNor subsidiary and a 25% stake held by Congolese company MGI International, which is controlled by President Sassou Nguesso’s family. The bribes reportedly facilitated the acquisition of the license and included a mix of cash payments, loans, and other financial advantages directed to the president and his relatives.
“This is a serious case of corruption where large sums have been paid to secure business advantages,” a statement from Økokrim indicated.
The two Norwegian individuals charged were initially arrested in 2021 in connection with the probe. They were briefly detained before being released pending further investigation, which has now culminated in formal charges.
The case underscores the ongoing international scrutiny of corruption in the global resources sector and represents a significant enforcement action under Norway’s strict anti-bribery laws, which are aligned with the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. PetroNor, listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, has yet to issue a detailed public statement following the formal charges.
A court date for the accused has not yet been set. The Republic of Congo’s government has not commented on the Norwegian prosecution.
About The Author
