Ex-Glencore Oil Boss Charged with Bribery in Africa Scandal

Alex Beard, former head of oil at Glencore, has been charged with bribery offences relating to the Swiss commodity trader's African operations. Beard, along with four other former employees, faces charges of conspiring to make corrupt payments to government and state-owned oil company officials in Nigeria and Cameroon.

In a significant development, Alex Beard, the former head of oil at Glencore, has been charged with bribery related to the company's operations in Africa, as announced by Britain's Serious Fraud Office on Thursday.

Beard, aged 56, faces two charges of conspiring to make corrupt payments to government officials and state-owned oil company officials in Nigeria between 2010 and 2014, as well as in Cameroon from 2007 to 2014, according to the SFO.

He is among five ex-Glencore employees indicted for conspiracy to make corrupt payments, highlighting ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges within the commodity trading sector.

(With inputs from agencies.)