Nigeria, July 3 -- The major parties mentioned in the controversial Malabu scandal were involved in sundry corrupt activities, Sergio Spadaro, the Public Prosecutor of Milan, told a Milan court on Thursday.

The prosecutor also said that major Nigerian officials named in the controversial deal all had long-standing relationships.

According to activists working with anti-corruption group, Re:Common, who were at the hearing Thursday, Mr Spadaro made this known while going through evidence against the defendants in the controversial deal in Milan.

"OPL 245 is an old story, but we focused on a period from autumn 2009 - when Shell and Malabu were still discussing a possible settlement," began Mr Spadaro.

"Then late 2009, ENI steps in with E...