HEDA Initiates Legal Action Against Federal Government and Oil Corporations Over Alleged Unlawful Licence Transfer

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government, multinational oil companies, and key regulatory bodies, challenging the legality of recent oil licence transfers.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos (FHC/L/CS/850/25), contests the transfer of oil mining lease assets by Eni Societa Per Azioni, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, and Oando PLC. HEDA alleges that the transaction violated several statutory provisions, including the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the Guidelines for Obtaining Minister’s Consent to Assignment of Interest in Oil and Gas Assets (2021), the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations (2022), the Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions Regulations (2023), and the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Remediation Regulations (2024).

Defendants in the case include the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

HEDA is seeking a court declaration that the transaction is unlawful, invalid, and of no legal effect, asserting that proper legal and environmental procedures were not observed. The organization also seeks a perpetual injunction restraining the relevant government agencies from recognizing or approving the deal and an order nullifying any ministerial consent already granted.

Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA, emphasized that the legal action aims to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s regulatory systems and protect environmental governance. He stated, “We cannot allow powerful interests to bypass laws meant to protect citizens, the environment, the economy, and the integrity of the country.”

The case is expected to test the Nigerian government’s commitment to enforcing the PIA and ensuring accountability within the oil and gas industry. HEDA maintains that this legal step is intended to set a precedent that oil licence transfers and divestments must strictly adhere to Nigerian law, particularly concerning environmental sustainability and responsible governance.