Rolls-Royce Corruption Probe Said To Expand To Nigeria Bribes

Rolls-Royce says it is co-operating with the authorities

A U.K. investigation into bribery at Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc has reached Nigeria as the Serious Fraud Office looks at the company’s former operations in the oil-rich country, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The investigation is focusing on whether agents acting for the company bribed government officials in connection with energy tenders through the year 2013, said the person, who declined to be identified because the matter is private. A spokeswoman for the SFO declined to comment Thursday.

“Concerns about bribery and corruption involving intermediaries in a number of overseas markets remain subject to examination by the Serious Fraud Office and other authorities,” said a Rolls-Royce spokesman. “We are co-operating with the authorities.”

The SFO asked Rolls-Royce to look into possible corruption concerns, and in 2012, the London-based company handed over details on what it called “matters of concern” uncovered in China and Indonesia. A year later, the SFO opened an investigation into whether Rolls-Royce engaged local agents in return for orders and whether that could constitute corruption.

The Financial Times reported on the probe earlier Thursday.