The jinx over investigation into the $180m Halliburton bribery scandal was broken yesterday when the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke (SAN), filed charges against Adeyanju Bodunde, a former Personal Assistant to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Other suspects are: George Mark; Hans George Christ; Heinrich J. Stockhausen; Julius Berger Nigeria Plc; Bilfinger Berger GMBH; Ibrahim Aliyu (a former federal permanent secretary); AVM Abdullahi Dominic Bello; Mohammed Gidado Bakare; Urban Shelter Limited; Intercellular Nigeria Limited; Sheerwood Petroleum Limited; Tri-Star Investment Limited; Maizube Holdings Limited; TSKJ Nigeria Limited-(a) Technip S.A.; (b)Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc(d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan.

All the suspects will be prosecuted by a team of lawyers led by J. B Daudu (SAN), E. C. Ukala (SAN) and Godwin Obla.

The two cases were filed yesterday by investigators having established a prima facie case against the suspects.

The first one, involving six of the suspects, was filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The other, involving nine suspects, was filed before a High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In the first case, FHC/ABJ/CR/146/2010, six suspects were charged to court over alleged several cash payments of about $5million to Bodunde.

The suspects, including Bodunde, are: Mark, George Christ, Stockhausen; Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH.

The charges against the six suspects are as follows:

"That you, George Mark, Jeffrey Tesler(now at large), Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen; Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH, sometime between 2002 and 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to make several cash payments in the sum of US$1million (five times) totaling in equivalent the sum of $5million to one Adeyanju Bodunde and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 16 of the Money Laundering Act 1995(as saved by Section 23(2) of the Money Laundering Act 2004) and punishable under Section 15(2) and (3) of the Money Laundering Act 1995(as saved by Section 23(2) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004).

"That you, George Mark, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH and Adeyanju Bodunde sometime between 2002 and 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit: failing to report several cash payments totaling in equivalent the sum of $5million by one Jeffrey Tesler(now at large); thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 16 and punishable under Section 15(2) and (3) of the Money Laundering Act 1995.

"That the six suspects sometime between 2002 and 2003 did make several payments totalling in equivalent $5million to one Adeyanju Bodunde and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 15(d) of the Money Laundering Act 1995(as saved by Section 23(2) of the Money Laundering Act 2004) and punishable under Section 15(2) and (3) of the Money Laundering Act 1995(as saved by Section 23(2) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004).

"That you, Adeyanju Bodunde, sometime between 2002 and 2003 did accept several cash payments in the sum of $5milion ($1million in five tranches) from George Mark, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1 and 15(d) of the Money Laundering Act 1995 (as saved by Section 23(2) of the Money Laundering Act 2004) and punishable under Section 15(2) and (3) of the Money Laundering Act 1995(as saved by Section 23(2) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004).

"That you, George Mark, Jefferey Tesler(now at large), Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH did transfer several sums of money received from one Jeffrey Tesler in the sum of $5million to one Adeyanju Bodunde in Nigeria, to wit did conceal and transfer to a nominee, knowing that it constitutes proceeds of a criminal conduct and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2002.

"That you, George Mark, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen; Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH conspired among yourselves to do an illegal act to wit: corruptly procuring and transferring cash payments amounting to $5million on behalf of one Jefferey Tesler (now at large), to one Adeyanju Bodunde, Personal Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, CAP C38 LFN, 2004.

"That you, George Mark, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH did for and on behalf of one Jefferey Tesler (now at large) did corruptly procure and transfer $5million to one Adeyanju Bodunde, Personal Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 98A of the criminal Code CAP C38 LFN, 2004.

"That you, Adeyanju Bodunde, sometime between 2002 and 2003 while being a public official and in your capacity as the Personal Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria corruptly asked for and received several cash payments in the sum of $5million from one George Mark, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH for and on behalf of one Jeffrey Tesler (now at large) thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 98B of the criminal Code CAP C38 LFN, 2004.

"That you, Adeyanju Bodunde, sometime between 2002 and 2003 while being a public official and in your capacity as the Personal Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria accepted several cash amounting to $5million from one George Mark, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH for and on behalf of one Jeffrey Tesler(now at large) , being a reward beyond your proper pay and emoluments, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 98B of the criminal Code CAP C38 LFN, 2004.

"That you, George Mark, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Bilfinger Berger GMBH did make for yourselves and on behalf of one Jefferey Tesler (now at large) several cash payments in the sum of $5million to one Adeyanju Bodunde, personal Assistant to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the purpose of financing the activities of a political party in Nigeria thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 38(2) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act CAP. C20 LFN 2004."

Concerning the other nine suspects in the second suit CR/95/10, they will face a 13-count charge.

They are: Ibrahim Aliyu (a former federal perm sec); AVM Abdullahi Dominic Bello; Mohammed Gidado Bakare; Urban Shelter Limited; Intercellular Nigeria Limited; Sherwood Petroleum Limited; Tri-Star Investment Limited; Maizube Holdings Limited; TSKJ Nigeria Limited-(a) Technip S.A.; (b) Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc(d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan.

The charges read in part:

"That you, TSKJ Nigeria Limited-(a) Technip S.A.; (b) Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc (d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan(all jointly trading in the name and style of TSKJ Joint Venture) awarded a contract for Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Project in Abuja within the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria sometime between 1994 and 2005 conspired among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: giving the sum of US$130million to one Jeffrey Tesler(now at large) and Tri-Star Investments Limited for the purpose of gratification of public officials with the award of the contract of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Project in Nigeria and thereby committed an offence under Section 96(1) (a) of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 118 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.



"That you, Ibrahim Aliyu; Mohammed Gidado Bakare; Jeffrey Tesler(now at large); AVM Abdullahi Dominic Bello; Urban Shelter Limited; Intercellular Nigeria Limited; Sherwood Petroleum Limited; Tri-Star Investment Limited; Maizube Holdings Limited; TSKJ Nigeria Limited-(a) Technip S.A.; (b)Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc(d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan sometime between 1998 and 2005 in Abuja within the Abuja Judicial Division of

the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria conspired among yourselves to commit a misdemeanour to wit: giving several sums of money in tranches totalling in the aggregate $7.7million without consideration to one Ibrahim Aliyu, a public official, then as chairman, Programme Implementation Committee of the Federal Government of Nigeria concerned with the proceeding or business of award of contracts for Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Project through companies under his control to wit: Urban Shelter Limited and Intercellular Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence under Section 96(1) (a) of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 120 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

"That you, TSKJ Nigeria Limited; Jeffrey Tesler (now at large); Ibrahim Aliyu; Mohammed Gidado Bakare; AVM Abdullahi Dominic Bello; Urban Shelter Limited; Intercellular Nigeria Limited; Sherwood Petroleum Limited; Tri-Star Investment Limited; Maizube Holdings Limited and(a) Technip S.A.; (b) Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc(d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan(all jointly trading in the name and style of TSKJ Joint Venture) sometime between 1998 and 2005 conspired among yourselves to give $7million without consideration to one Mohammed Gidado Bakare, Sherwood Petroleum Limited, persons in whom Ibrahim Aliyu, a public officer (then Chairman, Programme Implementation Committee of the Federal Government of Nigeria concerned with the proceeding or business of award of contracts for Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Project is interested and thereby committed an offence under Section 96(1)(a) of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 120 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

"That you, Ibrahim Aliyu, sometime between 1998 and 2005 in Abuja while being a public officer (then Chairman, Programme Implementation Committee of the Federal Government of Nigeria concerned with the proceeding or business of award of contracts for Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Project) accepted several payments of money in tranches totaling US$7.7million without consideration through companies under your control to wit: Urban Shelter Limited and Intercellular Nigeria Limited from one Jeffrey Tesler (now at large), AVM Abdullahi Dominic Bello; Tri-Star Investment Limited; TSKJ Nigeria limited and (a) Technip S.A.; (b)Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc (d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan(all jointly trading in the name and style of TSKJ Joint Venture) persons you know are interested or related to persons interested in the award of contracts for Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Project and thereby committed an offence under Section 119 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

"That you, Ibrahim Aliyu, dishonestly received several payments of money in tranches totalling in the aggregate $7.7million not due to you through companies under your control thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 122 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

"That you, Mohammed Gidado Bakare; Sherwood Petroleum Limited; TSKJ Nigeria limited; Jeffrey Tesler (now at large); AVM Abdullahi Dominic Bello; Urban Shelter Limited; Intercellular Nigeria Limited; Tri-Star Investment Limited; and (a) Technip S.A.; (b) Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc(d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan (all jointly trading in the name and style of TSKJ Joint Venture) sometime between 1998 and 2005, conspired among yourselves to commit a misdemeanour to wit: giving the sum of $4million without consideration to one Ibrahim Aliyu, a public officer, and thereby committed an offence under Section 96(1)(a) of the Penal Code and punishable Section 120 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

"That you, Ibrahim Aliyu, obtained the sum of $4million through companies under your control to wit: Urban Shelter Limited and Intercellular Nigeria Limited from one Mohammed Bakare, Jeffrey Tesler(now at large); AVM Abdullahi Dominic Bello; Sherwood Petroleum Limited; Tri-Star Investment Limited; TSKJ Nigeria limited; and-(a) Technip S.A.; (b)Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. (c) Kellog Brown and Root Inc(d) Japan Gasoline Corporation of Japan, persons you know are interested or related to persons interested in the award of contracts for Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Project and thereby committed an offence and punishable under Section 119 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990."

The $180million bribery scandal involved the former Halliburton’s subsidiary, Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) in respect of the nation’s Liquefied Natural Gas plant in Bonny.

Albert J. Stanley admitted before a Houston Court in the US on September 4, 2008 that he orchestrated more than $180million in bribe to senior government officials.

Stanley alleged that the bribe was channelled through a UK-based lawyer, Mr. Jeffery Tesler, in four installments of $60million, $32.5million, $51million and $23million.

The bribe was allegedly facilitated between 1995 and 2005 in London.

The countries where the bribe money was allegedly stashed by some top government officials and their accomplices are: France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland , Portugal and Seychelles.

This is the third attempt at probing those who benefited from the N21billion bribe. The House of Representatives had raised a committee, headed by Mr. Chudi Offodile, to investigate the alleged bribery.

But a breakthrough was recorded by a former Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu when he sent an interim report (EFCC/EC/01-048 of June 24, 2004) to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

On February 20, 2008, a progress report was also forwarded to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua by the EFCC.

Upon taking over as the EFCC chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri also sent a team of operatives to many countries.

The cumulative reports prompted the constitution of a Special Investigative Panel headed by a former Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, to identify those behind the scandal and bring them to justice.

The present Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN), had about three weeks ago assured that suspects involved in the Halliburton scam would soon be arraigned in court.

No date has, however, been fixed for the arraignment of the suspects.




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The federal government at the weekend filed two different sets of charges in two courts in Abuja, against some men alleged to have been implicated in the Halliburton bribery scandal.

This may well put an end to speculations that the federal government may just never bring those involved to book.

“There are two sets of charges filed. One set was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, while the other was filed at the FCT High Court,” a top government official told NEXT at the weekend.

Both charges were filed on Friday afternoon.

Investigations by United States law enforcement agencies had listed past Heads of State, including the late Sani Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo, amongst those involved in the scandal.

The charges filed at the federal high court have numbers FHC/ABJ/CR/146/2010, FRN vs Bodunde Adeyanju amongst others include: BillFinger Berger GMBH, Julius Berger etc.

The second batch, filed at the FCT High Court, is filed with charge number FCTHC/CR/95/10, FRN vs Henrich Stockhausen amongst others.

The other names include: Ibrahim Aliyu, AVM A.D Bello, Mohammed Gidado Bakare, Urban Shelters ltd, Intercellular Nig Ltd, SheerWood Petroleum Ltd, Tri Star investment Ltd, Tecnik SA, BV and Kellog Brown and Root.

Determined to prosecute

This is following a promise made by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, who told NEXT in an interview that the government was determined to prosecute all those involved.

“This is an expression of bravery on the part of the AGF, making the move to prosecute that calibre of people, what his predecessors could not do. He should be commended and encouraged to do more,” our source said, hailing the actions of the AGF.

This may be a mile stone in Goodluck Jonathan’s fight against corruption, as this may sound out that no man is above the law.

Meanwhile, the federal goverment has also made moves to put some of its best hands to handle the case.

“They are top prosecutors selected: JB Daudu SAN, Emmanuel Ukala SAN and Godwin Obla,” our source said.




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