Royal Dutch Shell has said it is facing potential criminal charges in the Netherlands relating to its operations in Nigeria.
The Dutch Public Prosecutor's Office (DPP) has informed the energy giant that it is nearing the conclusion of an investigation and is "preparing to prosecute Royal Dutch Shell".
It is linked to the 2011 settlement of disputes over an oil prospecting licence in Nigeria, known as OPL 245.
Shell has said it does not believe there is a case to answer.
It said in its statement today: "We have been informed by the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office (DPP) that they are nearing the conclusion of their investigation and are preparing to prosecute Royal Dutch Shell plc for criminal charges directly or indirectly related to the 2011 settlement of disputes over Oil Prospecting License 245 (OPL 245) in Nigeria."
The firm added: "As appropriate, we will provide updates as this matter progresses."
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The news comes after Shell in January revealed its biggest profit haul for four years after earnings surged 36 per cent thanks to higher oil and gas prices.
It posted underlying earnings of $21.4bn (£16.3bn) for 2018, ahead of expectations.
William Hill swung to a loss last year amid challenges to its betting shops on the UK high street.
The company moved to a pre-tax loss of £721.9 million compared to a profit of £146.5m the prior year.
Adjusted operating profit fell 15 per cent to £233.6m for the 53 weeks to January 1 2019, in line with previous guidance from the board.
Revenue dipped 2% to £1.6 billion.
Within retail, which accounts for 55% of the group's turnover, revenue was down 2% as a result of declining footfall on the high street.
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However the company reported growth online and in the US.
The American market has been opened up to gambling firms after a court ruling in May 2018 gave states the right to legalise sports betting.
Revolution Bars has paused its expansion plans as it warned on profits after a period of declining sales.
The company, which has 79 bars in the UK inlcuding in Glasgow, Aberdeen Inverness and Edinburgh, said annual underlying earnings will be between £11 million and £12m.
The consensus estimate was £12m.
This was a result of a slower first half, with like-for-like sales in the 26 weeks to December 29 2018 down four per cent.
While like-for-like sales were positive at the group's secondary brand Revolucion de Cuba, the core Revolution brand was hit by under-investment.
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As a result, the company will hold back on new bar openings and instead focus on refurbishing its existing sites.
Chief executive Rob Pitcher said: "Revolution has been reviewed, the issues identified, and workstreams are being implemented to restore it to growth.
"Our confidence in achieving this is underpinned by the good performance of the new Revolution venues, while the recently refurbished sites are also seeing uplifts. We have therefore decided to prioritise the refurbishment programme over new openings."
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