Court dismisses suit seeking criminal prosecution of NUPRC chief Gbenga Komolafe over petroleum contracts
The Abuja Division of the High Court on Friday dismissed a suit filed by a Non-governmental organisation, Registered Trustees of Trust Field Empowerment Initiatives, that sought the prosecution of Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
In the suit marked FCT/HC/GAR/CV/128/2025, the NGO sued Mr Komolafe, NUPRC, and the Attorney-General of the Federal, praying that the court should compel the Nigerian government to launch criminal proceedings against the commission’s CEO over the award of oil blocks and fixing of applicable signature bonuses.
This prompted the three defendants to file a preliminary motion challenging the jurisdiction of the Abuja High Court to hear and determine the case, specifically arguing that the federal high court reserves exclusive authority on civil causes or matters that pertain to mines and minerals, including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys, and natural gas.
Delivering his judgment on Friday, Justice Hamza Mu’azu sided with the motion filed by the respondents that the constitution specifically confers jurisdiction on the Federal High Court to the exclusion of any other court in civil cases or matters relating to the revenue of the government of the federation.
Subsequently, Mr Mu’azu dismissed the case and awarded a cost of N3 million each to the three defendants against the NGO.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Abuja
SDP seeks stay of judgment on leadership dispute
The application was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Court of Appeal Act, Order 4 Rule 6(2) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
Abuja
NESREA begins probe of chemical spill on Kaduna-Abuja Expressway
NESREA has begun investigating a suspected chemical spill on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway after a truck crash left a white foamy substance at the scene.
Politics
Coup: Trial of five men charged with concealing Timipre Sylva’s whereabouts adjourned
Court adjourned the trial of five men accused of failure to disclose the whereabouts of former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa until October 5.
World
One of FBI’s most wanted fraudster Khalid Satary captured for $500 million fraud
Following his indictment, 16 account numbers belonging to Mr Satary were confiscated, as well as his real estate.
Economy
Otti praises Tinubu’s harsh economic reforms, says Nigerians’ hardship necessary
“Today, a lot of states are not owing salaries…. A lot of states are able to empower people to produce rather than consume,” said Mr Otti.
Anti-Corruption
Dutchford: NUPRC awards Nigeria’s lucrative oil block to Bola Tinubu’s lover Olatimbo Ayinde
Ms Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil businesswoman, on trial in the United Kingdom for cross-border criminal conspiracy and wields a strong influence in the Tinubu administration.
