The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a legal action against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), seeking accountability over an alleged ₦5.9 billion spent on rebranding and corporate restructuring activities.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows growing concerns over transparency in the management of public funds within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
SERAP is asking the court to compel the NNPCL to disclose detailed information regarding how the alleged ₦5.9 billion was expended. According to the organisation, the funds were reportedly drawn from petroleum product proceeds and crude oil revenue allocations, raising questions about due process and value for money.
The group is also requesting that the court order NNPCL to reveal:
A full breakdown of the rebranding expenses
The contractors and consultants involved in the project
Officials who approved and authorized the spending
Evidence of compliance with procurement laws and financial regulations
SERAP argues that failure to provide this information undermines public accountability and may constitute a breach of Nigeria’s transparency and anti-corruption framework.
In its filing, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to compel the company to account for the funds, insisting that citizens have a constitutional right to know how public resources are managed, especially in strategic sectors such as petroleum.
The organisation maintains that state-owned enterprises must adhere strictly to procurement guidelines and financial reporting obligations, particularly when handling revenue derived from national assets.
As of the time of filing this report, the NNPCL has not issued an official response to the allegations or the court action.
The Federal High Court is yet to assign a hearing date for the matter.
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