An Abuja High Court on Friday struck out a suit filed against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, and imposed a ₦9 million fine on the plaintiff, the Registered Trustees of Trust Field Empowerment Initiatives.
The non-governmental organisation had approached the court (Suit No. FCT/HC/GAR/CV/128/2025), naming Komolafe, the NUPRC, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as the first to third defendants, respectively. The suit alleged irregularities in the award of oil blocks and fixing of signature bonuses, and sought an order compelling the AGF or proxies to prosecute Komolafe within 30 days.
The defendants, through their counsels—Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), Oladele Gbadeyan, and Chief Chiesonu Okpoko (SAN)—raised preliminary objections, challenging the jurisdiction of the FCT High Court. They cited Sections 251(1)(a) and (n) of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that only the Federal High Court has authority over civil matters involving the federal government’s revenue, as well as issues relating to mines, minerals, oil, and natural gas.
The defence also requested that ₦100 million be awarded as damages against the claimant for filing what they described as a “frivolous and vexatious” case aimed at harassing and intimidating the NUPRC CEO.
In his ruling, Justice Hamza Muazu upheld the respondents’ objection and struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction. He also awarded ₦3 million in costs to each of the three respondents, totalling ₦9 million, against the NGO.
ADEOLA KUNLE
