Originally Syndicated on February 22, 2024 @ 6:57 am
NJ Ayuk, a prominent lawyer, founder and CEO of Centurion Law Group Pvt Ltd, is currently at the center of a corruption and fraud scandal that has damaged his reputation and that of his firm.
Ayuk is regarded as one of the world’s leading energy lawyers and a leading figure in the African energy sector, having worked on several high-profile deals in the sector over the years. His company operates in the energy, financial and mining sectors.
However, recent allegations of bribery and fraudulent practices involving Ayuk and the Centurion Law Group have called his integrity and credibility into question.
NJ Ayuk’s Influence on African Oil Deals
The recent multibillion-rand oil deal of South Sudan has raised concerns over transparency, with critics alleging the involvement of NJ Ayuk founder of Centurion Law Group, a controversial figure known for his influence in African oil deals. According to the reports, it is virtually impossible to secure an oil deal in the continent without including Ayuk in the negotiations.
The R14.5 billion contract, while significant for South Sudan’s economy, has been criticised for lacking transparency. Media reports have revealed that the country’s energy minister, Jeff Rabede, flew to South Sudan to sign the deal, further adding to the controversy surrounding its execution.
The South Sudan oil deal raises important questions about transparency and accountability in African oil negotiations. Critics argue that the involvement of figures like NJ Ayuk of Centurion Law Group undermines the integrity of the process and leads to deals that do not serve the best interests of the country’s involvement.
Juan Tomas Avila Laurel and his protest against corruption
In 2011, Juan Tomas Avila Laurel, a seasoned investigative journalist, initiated a hunger strike to protest against the rampant corruption of Equatorial Guinea’s government.
He and other investigative journalists exposed the corruption cases of Obiang Lima, one of Africa’s leading politicians. One of the most notable corrupt enterprises was the construction of the National Hydrocarbon Technological Institute of Equatorial Guinea. They revealed that NJ Ayuk played a major role in carrying out the corrupt dealings of the African politician.
Despite being widely known for his vocal criticism of the government’s staggering corruption, the hunger strike, unfortunately, did not achieve its intended result. Avila Laurel faced harassment and was eventually forced to leave the country for Spain.
Ayuk’s involvement in these dealings has come as a shock to many, Ayuk’s denials and the allegations contained in the investigative report have sparked outrage among many in the African community, who see corruption as a major obstacle to the continent’s development.
A Dark Stain on Centurion Law Group’s Reputation
NJ Ayuk, the founder of Centurion Law Group, has a criminal history that has raised serious concerns about the integrity of his law firm.
After media reports exposed the corrupt dealings of the head of Centurion Law Group surfaced, he was furious. Instead of acknowledging his guilt or trying to clarify his point of view, he went on a social media tirade against posts that denounced him.
He also attacked the journalist who had written the report. In addition to taking a Twitter rant to his 200,000 followers, he stated on the Centurion Law Group website. There, he accused the reporter of extortion and claimed that he collaborated with a corrupt Spanish policeman to publish inaccurate stories about him.
NJ Ayuk also called the media reports “money-hungry charlatans” and said he hoped to question them. However, his efforts proved futile as a Supreme Court judge in Johannesburg, South Africa, ordered him to apologise and withdraw his slanderous statements against the journalist.
The court noted that N. J. Ayuk made “false accusations” against the reporter. In addition, the court ordered him to make a formal apology and stop publishing any unfounded accusations against the journalist in the future.
NJ Ayuk’s firm of Money Laundering and Tax Evasion
Centurion Law Group director Genevieve Kabukuor Okansi was arrested and detained for helping a Cameroonian launder $2.5 million in the country, a Ghanaian newspaper reported.
According to Ghanaian media reports, in addition to his previous convictions for fraud and forgery in the United States, Ayuk has been accused of several other crimes, although he denies all charges.
The report alleges that the Ghanaian authorities have flagged the commissioner and his consulting firm for several suspicious activities, including money laundering and tax evasion.
Bribery (Crime for which N. J. Ayuk has been accused of)
The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of something of value in order to sway the decisions of an official or another person in charge of carrying out a public or legal responsibility is known as bribery. The definition of bribery in relation to government operations is essentially “Corrupt solicitation, acceptance, or transfer of value in exchange for official action.” The British term “bung” refers to a bribe.
A bribe is an illicit or immoral present or attempt at lobbying given with the intention of influencing the recipient’s behaviour. It could be anything from cash, products, property rights, preference, privilege, emolument, valuables, advantages, or even just a promise to influence or sway someone’s vote or behaviour when they are acting in an official or public role.
Strategies to Stop Bribery and Corruption at Work
- Put in place a policy against corruption and bribery.
- Create an ABAC culture- In addition to your ABAC regulations, you ought to implement a number of initiatives that encourage moral behaviour at work.It is imperative that all members of the organisation, including the board of directors, business owners, and compliance staff, explicitly state that they will not accept bribery or corruption.
- Do due diligence on third parties.-Third parties that work with an organisation, such as its consultants, colleagues, agents, and middlemen, are likewise subject to ABAC legislation. You may be held accountable if any company operating on behalf of your organisation is proven to have engaged in bribery or corruption. You must carry out adequate assessments and due diligence on these parties.
- Be aware of the bribery signs.- We’ve shown that it’s not always easy to tell whether someone is trying to bribe you. Usually, the idea is presented in vague terms or is presented as though it is part of an official procedure. Bribery is frequently observed in the form of demands for payment made to someone who has facilitated a transaction without providing any further services. Even if it might not seem like it, you are bribing them.
Conclusion
The bribery and fraud scandal involving NJ Ayuk and the Centurion Law Group has severely damaged their reputation and credibility in the African energy sector.
The allegations, supported by evidence, have had significant consequences for both Ayuk and his law firm. Despite their denial, the scandal highlights the importance of ethical practices and transparency in the energy sector and raises important questions about the role of lawyers and law firms. The future of Ayuk’s career and the Centurion Law Group remains uncertain.
