CSO Jettisons Reps Ruling, Asks Court To Halt PINL’s Pipeline Surveillance Contract

A Civil Society Organization (CSO) known as Registered Trustees of Empowerment and Welfare Development Initiative for Unemployed Youths (RTEWDIUY) has asked an Abuja High Court to suspend the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL).

The CSO also prayed the court to investigate PINL’s Managing Director, Osahon Okunbor and set aside the vote of confidence passed on the firm by the House of Representatives.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Niger Delta Oil-Producing Communities Reform Movement (ND-OCRIM) had submitted a petition to the House Committee on Host Communities, raising allegations over the implementation of the contract.

The petitioners called for a comprehensive investigation into the management and utilisation of funds received by PINL under the pipeline surveillance arrangement.

But the House Committee had on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu, the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, PINL and Okunbor, citing improvements in pipeline security, crude oil recovery and production.

The resolution followed the adoption of a subcommittee report on the petition at a special sitting of the committee where it recommended the extension of the contract and dismissal of the allegations against the company.

However, the CSO in a statement signed by Jonas Idowu in Abuja on Saturday, said it has gone to court to institute an investigation into the operations of the PINL as well as the activities of the Managing Director in terms of oil business between him and NNPCL.

“A suit seeking the suspension of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), an investigation into the company’s Managing Director, Osahon Okunbor, probe of terms of all oil business between them and NNPCL and the nullification of a purported vote of confidence passed by the House of Representatives in favour of the company and its MD have been filled before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” he said.

Idowu, a legal practitioner stated that the PINL, Okunbor, NNPCL, Attorney-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the House of Representatives are defendants in the suit.

“In a Motion Ex Parte filed pursuant to Order 42 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025, Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the claimant is seeking interim/exparte orders to suspend the pipeline surveillance contract pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice,”he said.

Idowu said the claimant is also asking the court to direct the relevant authorities EFCC, ICPC, Police among others to commence an investigation into the operations, management, financial status and expenditure of PINL and its Managing Director in connection with the pipeline surveillance contract.

He said that the claimant is further seeking an interim injunction for PINL contract suspension and also seeking an order restraining the relevant authorities from renewing or re-awarding the pipeline surveillance contract to PINL or any of its nominee companies pending the determination of the substantive application.

Idowu reiterated that their suit is seeking an interim order to set aside the purported vote of confidence or resolution passed by the House Committee in favour of PINL and its Managing Director.

According to him, the application asks the court to grant such further or other orders as it may deem fit in the circumstances.

The legal practitioner expressed optimism that the court is expected to consider the reliefs sought in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures.

Idowu explained that the filing of the application does not, in itself, establish the allegations against the defendants and the substantive issues remain subject to judicial determination.