The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has indicted an ex- staff member of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo in a bribery case to the tune of $2.1 million.
According to the FBI, Okoronkwo, while serving as an employee of the NNPC, received a $2.1m bribe to negotiate favorable drilling rights for Addax Petroleum.
Okoronkwo faces a three count charge bordering on engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice.
He will appear before the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks for trial.
The FBI noted that Okoronkwo, a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria, was the General Manager in charge of the Upstream Division at the NNPC when the illicit payments were made.
The U.S. authorities alleged that Addax falsified records, claiming the payment represented fees for legal services.