A group under the aegis of Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria alongside constitutional lawyers have dragged Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Chief financial officer, Dapo Segun to a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers, over alleged mismanagement of Port Harcourt refinery rehabilitation.
In the matter registered in suit number FHC/CS/157/2025, the plaintiffs are seeking for mandatory sack, arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the former EVP downstream, alleging that his tenure saw the mismanagement of the refinery rehabilitation that cost Nigeria over N5trillion.
Recall that the CFO had recently face similar allegation different groups and some Nigerians seeking reforms and transparency in the oil industry.
The pressure for his sack, resignation, and arrest seems not to be dying down as more Nigerians are now joining the call.
Counsel for the lawyers, M.O Osuji, in the suit prayed the court for an Order to grant leave to the applicant to bring an application for mandamus directing the Economic Financial and Crime Commission (EFCC) to commence investigation of the activities and role of Segun, in alleged connection with the acquisition of the of OVH Energy by the NNPCL and rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.
Part of the Orders states: “An Interim Order of Court directing the 2nd Respondent (Dapo Segun) to forthwith step aside as the Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and cease the performance of any duty pertaining thereto, tampering with or altering any documents or records material to the investigation into his conduct and/or role in the acquisition of the of OVH Energy by the ‘NNPCL and rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt and Warri Refineries, pending the hearing and determination of the Substantive Motion on Notice for Judicial Review.
“An Order of Court granting Leave to the Applicant to serve the order granting leave to the Applicant, Motion on Notice for Judicial Review and any other process(es) in this Suit on the 2nd Defendant by substituted means to wit: delivering all the aforementioned court processes to the Legal Department of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited at its head office at Central Business District, Abuja. An Order of Court directing an accelerated hearing and determination of this Suit.”
Speaking with journalists, in Port Harcourt, Osuji noted that their “major concern as lawyers is that despite the good and commendable steps taken by the EFCC to investigate the dealing in Port harcourt refinery as a result of the turnaround maintenance, the gentleman who is at the helm of affairs during that period is not being investigated”.
He said, “Dapo Segun, he was also involved in OVH acquisition and yet we are yet to see its true potential. It’s not hasty, April from now is about four months ago, in the circular issued that they have commenced investigation. What I expected is that this invitation would have been extended to the man at the helm of affairs, the Chief Operating Officer of NNPCL . He is at the helm of affairs during the turnaround maintenance and acquisition of OVH.
“He has a vital role to play. As I speak to you several people are being investigated by EFCC, including the Former GMD, Mele Kyari. We as lawyers we have a duty, to assist the EFCC, the law, the presidency in fighting corruption, that’s why we’ve brought this action for the court to mandate them to investigate the man who’s at the helm of affairs”, Osuji explained.
Blessing Ibunge
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