EFCC, NNPCL top officials dragged to court over alleged Trillion-Naira refinery project mismanagement

A legal firestorm has erupted as a top official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) face a lawsuit over the alleged mismanagement of refinery projects valued in the trillions of naira.

The suit filed by a coalition of human rights lawyers wants the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Dapo Segun, tried by the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged mismanagement of more than N5 trillion earmarked for the rehabilitation of Nigerian refineries.

The plaintiffs, operating under the Registered Trustees of Rights For All International, are calling for Segun’s immediate suspension, thorough investigation, and prosecution. They alleged that he played a central role in the failed rehabilitation projects, which have drawn criticism for wasteful spending and lack of results.

Prominent constitutional lawyer, Okere Kingdom, who is leading the legal charge, described the case as a necessary step in the push for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil sector.

“It is deeply troubling that someone who oversaw such a colossal failure in the downstream operations of the NNPCL is still holding a strategic position,” Okere said. “We are urging the court to compel the EFCC to do its job without fear or favour.”

The suit, which was filed as an ex-parte application, also raised fresh concerns about a separate transaction involving N140 billion. This deal, linked to NNPCL’s acquisition of OVH Energy, is reportedly under investigation by several bodies, including the National Assembly.

In the court filings, the EFCC and Mr. Segun were named as first and second respondents, respectively. The group argues that the EFCC’s failure to investigate Segun’s involvement in both the OVH deal and the refinery projects amounts to a violation of its statutory responsibilities, which they say reflects an abuse of power and selective justice.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to issue a mandamus order directing the EFCC to launch a full investigation within seven days and publish the outcome of its findings within 14 days of its conclusion. Should the investigation uncover any wrongdoing, they are also calling for immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Segun.

In addition, the lawyers are requesting an interim court order compelling Segun to temporarily step aside from his role as CFO, arguing that his continued presence could interfere with the investigation or result in the tampering of critical documents.

“The EFCC appears to be shielding top players at NNPCL while selectively investigating others,” Okere said. “This selective justice must not stand. The court must act to restore public confidence in the fight against corruption.”

The group has also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to relieve Segun of his duties without delay to ensure that there is no obstruction of justice as the legal process unfolds.

“President Tinubu must take a decisive step and remove Segun from office while these investigations are ongoing,” they stated. “The credibility of this administration’s reform agenda is on the line.”

Meanwhile, in a related development, a civil society organisation, the Center for Oil and Gas Transparency and Reform, has released a series of video exposés alleging deep-rooted corruption in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. The videos implicate several NNPCL officials and call for an urgent independent probe into the matter.

“We have uncovered damning evidence that points to high-level corruption in the so-called refinery repairs,” a spokesperson for the group stated in one of the videos. “The Nigerian people deserve the truth and justice.”

The case is expected to be heard in the coming days, and many are watching closely to see how the EFCC and the NNPCL respond to the mounting pressure for accountability.