London-based oil major Shell PLC on Thursday welcomed news from Dutch authorities that an investigation into bribery allegations has been dismissed.

The investigation by the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s office concerned alleged bribery related to Oil Prospecting License 245 in Nigeria back in 2011.

Shell commented: ‘We welcome today’s decision, which marks an end to the criminal investigation in the Netherlands. It follows the Milan Public Prosecutor’s appeal withdrawal earlier this week, which ended all criminal proceedings and confirmed the Milan Tribunal’s decision to acquit Shell and four of our former employees in March 2021.

‘The Milan Public Prosecutor acknowledged that there was no evidence of a corrupt agreement or corrupt payments, that this case should end because it has no foundations, and that the defendants have the right to see the end of criminal proceedings, having endured seven years of suffering.’

Shares in Shell closed 1.4% lower at 2,021.50 pence in London on Thursday.

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