By Taiye Agbaje
The Incorporated Trustees of Legal Defence Against Injustice Initiative has filed a suit seeking the refund of over N140 billion into the coffers of the Federal Government.
The fund is said to be connected to the acquisition of OVH Energy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The originating summons, marked:CV/3104/2025, was filed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr Festus Ugo, at the Abuja High Court.
The group sued NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer and its former Executive Vice President, Downstream, Mr Adedapo Segun; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit, filed under public interest litigation, sought two issues for determination and five principal reliefs.
The plaintiff is urging the court to determine among others, wether the 1st defendant is not personally liable to account for and refund to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the 2nd and 3rd defendants the total sum of 325.09 million dollars.
The amount it claimed was paid by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the remit of the 1st defendant as the Executive Vice President, Downstream in connection with the acquisition of the of OVH Energy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited?
“An order of this Honourable Court directing the 1st defendant to pay forthwith into the treasury of the Federal Government of Nigeria [through the 2nd and 3rd defendants] the total sum of $325.09 million (N140.559 billion).
“An order of this Honourable Court directing the 2nd and 3rd defendants to forthwith prosecute 1st defendant in relation to the roles he played in connection with the acquisition of the of OVH Energy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt and Warri Refineries.”
“An order of perpetual injunction barring the 1st defendant from holding any public office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The suit came on the heels of recent revelation by the EFCC that it had recovered some funds that were diverted by both contractors and key officials of the NNPCL.
In the affidavit of facts in support of the suit, Patience Essien, a litigation secretary in the law firm, said she knew that despite the allegations against the 1st defendant, the EFCC was yet to file a charge against him.
“There is need for urgent intervention judicially to bring the 1st defendant to account.
“I make this oath in good faith and conscientiously believing same to be true and in accordance with the Oaths Act, 2004,” she deposed.
Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the matter to be heard. (NAN)
