Britain’s corruption probe into engines maker Rolls-Royce has been expanded to also look at the company’s activities in Nigeria, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is looking at the company’s former energy activities in Nigeria, as part of a broader corruption investigation that also includes Brazil, China and Indonesia, the business newspaper said without citing its source.

The SFO is examining whether Rolls and its agents were involved in any bribery of government officials until 2013 when tenders were launched for the building of energy infrastructure, the FT added.

“We are aware of the story but can neither confirm nor deny our interest in these specific allegations. Our investigation continues,” an SFO spokesman said in an emailed statement.

Rolls-Royce meanwhile stressed it was cooperating with authorities around the world over the matter.

“Concerns about bribery and corruption involving intermediaries in a number of overseas markets remain subject to examination by the SFO and other authorities,” a company spokesman said.

“We are co-operating with the authorities. We do not comment on the subject of ongoing investigations nor on the countries in which those investigations are being conducted.

“We have made it clear that Rolls-Royce will not tolerate business misconduct of any kind.”

Credit: Guardian