(see related stories) (ANSA) - Milan, September 12 - Milan prosecutors suspect that a slice of the over one billion euros ENI allegedly paid in bribes for an oil-field licence in Nigeria was used to buy armoured cars and aircraft.

The suspicions are outlined in a warrant sent to a London court to freeze around 80 million euros in an account - money believed to be part of the bribes - a copy of which has been seen by State broadcaster RAI's TG3 news show.

CEO Claudio Descalzi, his predecessor Paolo Scaroni and another ENI executive are among several people being probed over their role in the Italian group's 2011 acquisition, in partnership with Shell, of the rights to a Nigerian oil field known as Oil Prospecting License 245.

Prosecutors believe around $800 million of the $1.09 billion paid went to a shell company called Malabu, allegedly linked to former Nigerian minister Dan Etete. They suspect around $523 million of that money went to a man close to Etete, while the rest went to companies and individuals in many countries, with some being used for armoured cars and aircraft. Investigators believe that around $200 million now frozen by Swiss and British authorities was destined for Italian managers and intermediaries.

