A major Nigerian oil scandal, involving energy giants Shell and ENI, has returned to the spotlight following revelations from a sweeping cyber-espionage investigation in Italy. This renewed attention sheds light on one of the most contentious corporate corruption cases of the last decade—centered around Nigeria’s prized OPL 245 oil block.
According to investigative reports, the latest developments in Italy’s unfolding corruption saga have implicated Equalize, a covert Milan-based intelligence firm with alleged ties to multinational corporations, organized crime, and international espionage. Italian prosecutors have identified Equalize as a central player in a network that illegally accessed government databases, surveilled public officials, and gathered sensitive financial data.
Equalize: The Cyber-Spy Hub Hidden in Plain Sight
Though Equalize branded itself as a business risk and intelligence consultancy, Italian investigators have revealed its deeper role in illegal digital surveillance. Operating from a small office near Milan’s famed Cathedral, the firm orchestrated years-long operations involving unauthorized access to tax records, police files, and banking information.
Led by hacker and IT expert Nunzio Calamucci, alongside ex-police officer Carmine Gallo, Equalize reportedly served a high-profile client roster. These included global corporations, foreign intelligence bodies, and even elements of organized crime and religious institutions. Prosecutors claim the firm compiled detailed records on hundreds of thousands of individuals, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
The Nigerian Nexus: OPL 245 Revisited
Equalize’s name surfaced in connection with the OPL 245 oil block deal, a transaction involving Shell and ENI that has long been mired in allegations of bribery and fraud. In 2011, both oil companies paid $1.1 billion to the Nigerian government to secure rights to the massive offshore oilfield. However, prosecutors later alleged that much of this money was funneled as bribes to Nigerian officials and intermediaries.
Italy’s anti-corruption prosecutor Fabio De Pasquale pursued charges against executives from Shell and ENI, leading to extensive investigations, including a 2016 raid on Shell’s headquarters in The Hague. Yet, the trial ultimately ended in acquittals in 2021, with the court citing a lack of evidence directly linking the companies to the misappropriation of funds.
A Stunning Legal Reversal: Prosecutors in the Crosshairs
In a twist few saw coming, prosecutors De Pasquale and his colleague found themselves convicted in 2024—not for misconduct in the oil case but for allegedly withholding exculpatory evidence. The document in question involved claims that a Nigerian witness had been bribed, which could have cleared the oil firms of wrongdoing. The prosecutors’ conviction shocked legal communities worldwide.
Equalize Boasts of Its Role in the Legal Fallout
With new wiretapped conversations now emerging, Equalize’s involvement in the case is under renewed scrutiny. Calamucci, in intercepted calls, bragged about supplying ENI with crucial information that shifted the trial’s direction. He claimed their intelligence work revealed the bribery of a Nigerian witness and stated, “We brought out the truth.”
Gallo corroborated that ENI had contracted Equalize to verify the credibility of this key witness. Ironically, this same allegation led to the conviction of the prosecutors, who allegedly failed to disclose the very evidence Equalize helped uncover. These revelations have sparked calls for a retrial and reevaluation of both the corruption case and the prosecutorial convictions.
ENI Acknowledges Contract with Equalize—But Denies Any Misuse
ENI has since confirmed that it hired Equalize for legal intelligence and investigative work. However, the company insists that none of the firm’s illegally obtained materials were submitted in court or used unlawfully. ENI maintains that it operated within legal boundaries and had no knowledge of Equalize’s hacking operations.
Shell, on the other hand, has not been directly implicated in the cyber-espionage scandal, though it remains deeply tied to the original OPL 245 controversy. Both companies continue to deny any wrongdoing, emphasizing that their payments were made transparently to the Nigerian government.
International Backlash and OECD Involvement
The Equalize case has drawn significant international attention. A coalition of four civil society organizations recently submitted a formal petition to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), urging an investigation into potential political manipulation in the convictions of De Pasquale and his colleague.
Drago Kos, the former chair of the OECD’s anti-corruption working group, expressed grave concern. “In no other country, no matter how corrupt, have I seen prosecutors sentenced to prison for a procedural mistake,” he stated. Kos emphasized that this case could have chilling implications for global anti-corruption efforts.
Support from Global Anti-Corruption Leaders
Twenty leading international legal experts, including Dutch prosecutor Daniëlle Goudriaan, have spoken out in support of the Italian prosecutors. They have demanded full transparency in the proceedings and are closely monitoring the appeals process. Many believe the growing evidence of Equalize’s role could significantly alter the course of the case.
New Trial Looms Amid Mounting Evidence
De Pasquale and his colleague are scheduled to appeal their convictions in Milan next week. Their defense will focus on the newly obtained evidence linking Equalize to a coordinated effort to undermine their case. Legal analysts say that this appeal could mark a major turning point, potentially unraveling a broader conspiracy involving corporate, legal, and criminal networks.
Expanding Investigations and Global Reach
Meanwhile, Italian authorities continue to expand their probe into Equalize. In April 2025, law enforcement carried out additional arrests and revealed that the firm’s operations extended beyond Italy. Investigations now span across Europe and the United States, with links identified in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, and Brussels.
Authorities are also probing whether Equalize engaged in extortion and blackmail using data gathered from hacked databases. As evidence continues to mount, prosecutors believe the firm’s activities may have supported illicit agendas across a range of sectors—from big business to organized crime.
What Lies Ahead
The revelations surrounding Equalize have reignited global conversations about the balance between corporate interests, legal accountability, and data ethics. The resurfacing of the OPL 245 scandal, in conjunction with cyber-espionage and judicial interference, paints a sobering picture of how far-reaching and complex modern corruption cases have become.
As the appeals process unfolds and investigations continue, the international community watches closely. Whether these developments will restore faith in judicial independence or further expose weaknesses in global anti-corruption mechanisms remains to be seen.
