THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday arrested the Managing Director of SAIPEM Construction Company, Mr. Giuseppe Surace (40) and the Managing Director of TECHNIP Offshore Nigeria Limited, Mr. Frank Pliya and 10 officials of Halliburton over the alleged $180million bribery scam.
The commission has also launched a manhunt for the Managing Director of Halliburton in Nigeria .
The two companies are oil service firms operating in Nigeria.
Fifteen suspects have been arraigned in court over the scandal.
The suspects are Adeyanju Bodunde (a former Personal Assistant to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo), George Mark, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen; Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Bilfinger Berger GMBH.
There are also Ibrahim Aliyu, Air Vice Marshal 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.
Julius Berger has entered into a plea bargaining leading to the withdrawal of charges against the construction giant by the Federal Government.
It was learnt that following fresh clues, the Federal Government asked the EFCC to take over the case.
EFCC operatives Thursday stormed the offices of the three firms in Lagos and arrested the affected Managing Directors and ten officials of Halliburton.
The development made expatriates working for the oil service firms to go into hiding.
But those arrested were flown to Abuja at about 3pm yesterday for interrogation.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: "The government has asked the EFCC to dig further into fresh lead on the beneficiaries of the bribe sum and the firms involved.
"We have also taken over the prosecution of those involved in the bribery to ensure synergy between investigation and trial of any suspects.
"We succeeded in arresting 12 out of the latest suspects wanted in connection with the bribery scandal. They are presently undergoing interrogation.
"Our operatives are also looking for the Managing Director of Halliburton in Nigeria for questioning."
Responding to a question, the source added: "The syndicate involved in the Halliburton bribery scandal was a hi-tech one at home and abroad. That is why it has taken much time to uncover them."
Contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest of the 12 suspects.
"We re-opened the investigation because of fresh information. We are already interacting with those arrested."
The $180million bribery scandal involved the former Halliburton's subsidiary, Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) in respect of the Liquefied Natural Gas plant in Bonny.
$180m scam: EFCC arrests 12, hunts for Halliburton boss (http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/20016.html)
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