The adviser of the Congolese presidential is stuck with the corruption investigation by the Italian authorities. The adviser played an important role in giving the oil licenses to the energy giant Eni SpA and the family of the chief executive. They are now facing corruption charges by the Italian authorities. According to the records provided by the Government of Congo the advisor, Denis Gokana, was the head of the committee which was responsible for giving away oil licenses to Italy’s Eni and a partner company that he himself founded. 

Denis Gokana charged with corruption charges 

Denis Gokana is the special natural resources advisor to Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso. The information was also confirmed by Gokana via email to an international news agency. He was given the responsibility of the committee in 2013 by the Congolese president. The committee was responsible for enhancing the private sector and its contribution to the economy, his position was mentioned in an official government gazette as reported by an international agency. Gokana is the key focus of the Italian corruption probe and it is for the first time that the role of a Congolese official has been publicly revealed. However, Gokana has denied any wrongdoing. 

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Eni denies any kind of involvement

On the other hand, the State-controlled organization Eni is among the world's largest oil companies. Last year it reported being part of a corruption investigation by Milan prosecutors in the Republic of Congo. The investigation inquiry is evaluating the agreements that were signed between 2013 and 2015 by Eni's Congolese official with the local companies. The Italian authorities are investigating whether there are any give and take of bribe involved in any form. The company has also denied any charges and asserted that it was not involved in the awarding of the licenses. The company had no say in the government choices of its local oil partners, however Africa Oil & Gas Corporation (AOGC), the local partner was founded by Denis Gokana.

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(with inputs from agencies)