•NNPC filling station
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to halt and restructure the renewal of Nigeria’s pipeline surveillance contract, ruling that such a move would be contrary to national economic interests.
The case, filed by the Registered Trustees of the People’s Well-Being Association, listed the Attorney General of the Federation, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PIN), and Abokus Integrated Security Services Limited as defendants.
The claimants had sought an interim injunction restraining the Federal Government and NNPCL from renewing or continuing with the pipeline surveillance contract, reports The Guardian.
They also urged the court to mandate national security agencies to take over pipeline protection and to compel the disclosure of payments made under the contract.
However, delivering ruling on the application, Justice Bello refused to grant the interim orders, warning that doing so could destabilise the nation’s economy.
The court held that granting the reliefs sought would be “inimical to national economic stability” and could create a vacuum likely to trigger increased oil theft and significant revenue losses.
Emphasising the importance of pipeline security to Nigeria’s economy, the court stated that “no court of law should grant an order capable of plunging the nation into economic crisis.”
Justice Bello further ruled that the federal government and NNPCL are at liberty to proceed with the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract, stressing the need to avoid any operational vacuum pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court also directed all parties involved in the surveillance operations, including Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, to continue discharging their responsibilities in the national interest.
The ruling reinforces the role of existing surveillance arrangements in protecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and sustaining economic stability.
