Four former Glencore oil traders have pleaded not guilty to bribery charges related to the company’s operations in West Africa. The charges, which were denied in a London court, allege that the individuals conspired to give corrupt payments to government officials in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast between 2007 and 2014.

Martin Wakefield, one of the accused, denied three charges of conspiring to bribe officials in the aforementioned countries for Glencore’s benefit. David Perez pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiring to give corrupt payments related to operations in Cameroon and Ivory Coast. Additionally, Paul Hopkirk and Ramon Labiaga denied one charge each in relation to Nigeria.

Perez and Wakefield also denied a further charge of conspiracy to falsify documents, which allegedly showed service fees owed between 2007 and 2011. Their trial, scheduled to begin in October 2027, is expected to last up to six months.

The charges against the former Glencore employees are part of a broader investigation into the company’s activities in West Africa. Glencore’s former head of oil, Alex Beard, and former head of oil operations Andrew Gibson were also charged with bribery offenses last year. Although they had indicated their intention to plead not guilty at their first court appearance, they did not appear or enter pleas on Monday.

The bribery allegations against the former Glencore employees highlight the ongoing challenges faced by companies operating in West Africa, where corruption remains a significant concern. The case against the four former traders will be closely watched, given the severity of the charges and the potential implications for Glencore’s operations in the region.

The trial, set to commence in 2027, will provide further insight into the allegations and the company’s activities in West Africa during the period in question. As the case progresses, it is likely to shed more light on the complexities of doing business in regions where corruption is prevalent, and the measures companies must take to ensure compliance with anti-bribery laws.