Special Report

Nigerian
News

NigerianNews
Report Series
Special Report

more report/editorial articles

On top of this though, Siemens seems most concerned with the impact of the entire controversy on its future business operations. It is apparently highly disturbed at mixed signals emerging from Nigeria. “It is getting increasingly difficult to figure out if public anger in Nigeria is directed more at the perpetration of corruption or at Siemens as a body” wonders Stefan Schmidt!

Bribery scandal: Siemens staying mute!
Written by Frisky Larr

---

While the Nigerian political scene continues to boil over the explosive bribery scandal involving leading Nigerian politicians, the multinational electronics company Siemens AG, at the center of the controversy is stoically maintaining sealed lips over details of the image-soiling revelations. Responding to inquiries by the NigerianNews representative in Germany, spokesman for “Siemens AG” Stefan Schmidt appealed for understanding “because the case is currently being investigated in Nigeria by the EFCC”. It should be recalled that the bribery scandal came to a head as the case hit the court in the German City of Munich at the urging of the Public Prosecutor in the course of the current year. Siemens AG had sought to implement routine financial write-offs in annual tax declarations, which finally led to a detailed probe of financial transactions. Investigations turned sour as Siemens ended up being dragged into negative headlines and litigation was concluded in a ruling delivered by the court in Munich on October 4th, 2007. Siemens AG was fined a total of € 201 million in a plea bargain, in which € 1 million was imposed as sanction for the breach of financial and penal regulations and € 200 million imposed as a legal skimming off of illegally earned profits. In return, all further corruption-related investigations and proceedings involving the previous Siemens division “Com” have been stayed for good. Public Prosecutor Mr. Winkler, who is not yet available for contact by NigerianNews, investigated the multinational company’s activities between the years 2000 and 2006, leaving out the current year 2007. He succeeded in convincing the court that Siemens AG spent a total of $ 17.5 million in bribes dished out for lucrative contracts in Russia, Nigeria and Libya. Of this sum, a total of € 10 million was spent in Nigeria alone. Four former Ministers and reputable heavyweights like Jubril Aminu, Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Cornelius Adebayo and the late Haruna Elewi as well as a Project Manager and Secretary to the Board of Tenders of NITEL were named as bribe recipients. Asked for details of the bribery transactions in the face of the vehemence of public denial made by one of the Nigerians accused Jubril Aminu, Stefan Schmidt emphasized the need for Siemens to talk as little as possible as events continue to unfold. “If Siemens had claimed to be innocent, of course we’d be glad to talk and provide details of facts and figures. But as the conclusion of the indictment indicates, this is not the case. We simply cannot go on making comments while we still remain under investigation in other countries.” On top of this though, Siemens seems most concerned with the impact of the entire controversy on its future business operations. It is apparently highly disturbed at mixed signals emerging from Nigeria. “It is getting increasingly difficult to figure out if public anger in Nigeria is directed more at the perpetration of corruption or at Siemens as a body” wonders Stefan Schmidt! While investigations by NigerianNews remain on course, contacts will be explored to ascertain which Nigerian got what, from whom and when. Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com