Benon Sevan, the administrator who was in charge of overseeing the United Nation’s oil-for-food programme for Iraq, was indicted on Tuesday on federal charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as part of a growing attempt by prosecutors to hold UN employees accountable to US laws.

The charges against Mr Sevan, a Cypriot, and Fred Nadler, a US businessman who allegedly funnelled $160,000 in illegal commissions to Mr Sevan, bring to 14 the number of people and companies charged in connection with the oil-for-food scandal, FBI officials said.