Amanze ChinonyeA U.S. court has scheduled December 1 for the sentencing of Paulinus Okoronkwo, a former general manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)’s upstream division, who faces up to 25 years in prison after being convicted of accepting a $2.1 million bribe.
Okoronkwo, a dual Nigerian-U.S. citizen, was found to have received the funds in October 2015 from Addax Petroleum – a Swiss subsidiary of Sinopec – through his Los Angeles law firm’s IOLTA account. The payment, disguised as legal fees for securing drilling rights in Nigeria, was in fact a bribe to influence favorable contract terms. Prosecutors said the scheme involved fake engagement letters, misleading auditors, and the concealment of funds as client money.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe U.S. Department of Justice charged him with three counts of money laundering, one count of tax evasion after failing to declare the $2.1 million in his 2015 tax return and one count of obstruction of justice for lying to investigators in 2022. He later used nearly $1 million of the illicit proceeds to buy a house in California.
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U.S. District Judge John F. Walter will deliver the verdict on December 1. If convicted on all counts, Okoronkwo faces a potential maximum of 25 years in federal prison. He is currently out on a $50,000 bond.
Background records show Okoronkwo was dismissed from NNPC following his indictment. Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad recalled that Okoronkwo, in his role as general manager, had been involved in a $2.4 billion bilateral drilling deal signed shortly before the end of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
So far, both the Nigerian Presidency and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have remained silent on the matter, offering no official response to the conviction or the upcoming sentencing.
The case underscores growing U.S. scrutiny of corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector and raises questions about accountability at home. While Washington prepares to jail a former NNPC executive for transnational bribery, silence from Abuja and NNPCL highlights the persistent gap between international enforcement and Nigeria’s own anti-corruption drive.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
