Former Unaoil executive pleads guilty to conspiracy to give corrupt payments

Basil Al Jarah, 70 year citizen from Hull, Unaoil’s former partner in Iraq, pleaded guilty on 15 July 2019 to five offences of conspiracy to give corrupt payments in connection with the SFO’s investigation into Unaoil. The offences relate to the award of contracts to supply and install single point moorings and oil pipelines in southern Iraq.  A court order restricting reporting of the plea was lifted.

According to the SFO, the five counts relate to conduct between 2005 and 2013, and the award of contracts to supply and install single-point moorings and oil pipelines in southern Iraq. Three other individuals have pleaded not guilty and will face trial next year. The indictment placed before the court also names other people and companies Al Jarah is said to have acted with. No charges have been laid against those other people or businesses, and being named in the indictment does not constitute proof of guilt.

Last month, it emerged that the SFO has dropped its investigation into the Ahsani family, although its investigation into Unaoil continues. The SFO declined to explain its decision to stop investigating the family.

In the same investigation, Ziad Akle, Paul Bond and Stephen Whiteley have been charged with conspiracy to make corrupt payments. A trial is scheduled to begin on 13 January 2020 at Southwark Crown Court.

History

1. The SFO opened its investigation into Unaoil in March 2016
2. Basil Al Jarah (70) pleaded guilty to five offences of conspiracy to give corrupt payments, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and contrary to section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906
3. Ziad Akle (44) has been charged with three offences of conspiracy to make corrupt payments and Paul Bond (67) and Stephen Whiteley (64) have each been charged with two offences of conspiracy to make corrupt payments, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and contrary to section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906.
4. Paul Bond was formerly a Senior Sales Manager with SBM (Offshore). Ziad Akle was Unaoil’s territory manager for Iraq. Stephen Whiteley is a former Vice president of SBM (Offshore) and was Unaoil’s General Territories Manager for Iraq, Kazakhstan and Angola.
5. Basil Al Jarah is represented by IBB Solicitors.
6. Ziad Akle is represented by White & Case, Stephen Whiteley is represented by JMW Solicitors, and Paul Bond is represented by Mary Monson Solicitors.
7. The strict liability rule in the Contempt of Court Act 1981 applies.