FCT High Court Asked to Suspend PINL’s Pipeline Surveillance Contract 

Alex Enumah in Abuja 

 A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has been asked to suspend the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), pending the hearing and determination of its motion on notice.

The request was part of reliefs sought by a civil group in the suit marked: FCT/HC/GWA/CV/299/2026.

The claimant, the Registered Trustees of Empowerment and Welfare Development Initiative for Unemployed Youths, alleged that Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) provided cover for oil bunkerers in the Niger Delta despite huge payments by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Specifically, the group asked the court to order an investigation of the PINL’s Managing Director, Osahon Okunbor, and set aside a vote of confidence reportedly passed in favour of the company and Okunbor by the House of Representatives.

The suit dated October 15, 2026, and filed by claimant’s lawyer, Samuel Yaro Momoh has PINL, Okunbor, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the House of Representatives as defendants.

In a motion ex parte brought under Order 42 of the High Court of the FCT (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025, Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution and the court’s inherent jurisdiction, the claimant seeks interim orders suspending the contract, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.

The application is supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit deposed to by a Nigerian citizen and economist, Amarachi Orji.

She stated that since its engagement by NNPCL, the 1st defendant, “has not lived up to expectations” and has engaged in serial acts of gross financial mismanagement, ineffectiveness, diversion and other acts of economic sabotage.

The deponent also alleged that PINL lacks transparency and is accused of providing cover for oil bunkerers in the Niger Delta despite huge payments from the federal government.

She further alleged that the 2nd defendant, Okunbor, is living a luxurious and ostentatious lifestyle.

The court papers also raise allegations of personal aggrandisement, misappropriation of funds and living above legitimate means. 

Although, none of these allegations has been established by a court of law.

Among reliefs the claimant is seeking includes; an order suspending the pipeline surveillance contract on an interim basis.

The claimant is further asking the court to direct the EFCC, the ICPC, the Police and other relevant agencies to investigate the operations, management, financial status and expenditure of PINL and its MD in connection with the contract, including allegations of money laundering.

The claimant is also seeking an order for a probe of the terms of all oil business between PINL and NNPCL, an order to restrain the Presidency, NNPCL and other relevant authorities from renewing or re-awarding the contract to PINL or any of its nominee companies, pending the determination of the substantive application.

It also wants an order to set aside the purported vote of confidence or resolution passed in favour of PINL and Okunbor by the House of Representatives’ HOSTCOM Committee.

The claimant contended that the resolution was unconstitutional, ultra vires the powers of the House and of no legal effect. It also argued that the hearing which produced the resolution was not conducted transparently.

However, the filing of the suit does not in itself establish the allegations against any of the defendants, and the substantive issues remain subject to judicial determination.