Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted leave to commence judicial review proceedings against Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited and the Attorney General of the Federation over alleged violations of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
Presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, approved the application filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Conference of Civil Society for Transparency and Accountability (CCSTA), following the company’s alleged refusal to disclose information on publicly funded oil and gas projects.
The suit stems from a Freedom of Information request dated April 14, 2026, which sought details on refinery rehabilitation contracts, the Utorogu Gas Plant expansion, the Assa North-Ohaji South (ANOH) gas project, emergency pipeline repairs, environmental impact assessments, host community development spending, procurement approvals, and compliance with local content requirements.
By granting leave, the court recognised that the case raises substantial issues requiring judicial determination, reinforcing the right of citizens and civil society groups to demand accountability in the management of public resources.
Counsel to the applicant, Joseph Chukwuemeka, said poor procurement practices in the oil and gas sector have far-reaching economic consequences.
“When strategic projects are poorly managed, delayed, or inflated, government is often forced to borrow additional funds to finance cost overruns and abandoned projects, thereby deepening Nigeria’s debt burden,” he said.
He added that such inefficiencies also undermine domestic energy production, increase reliance on fuel imports, and drive up inflation and the cost of living.
Chairman of CCSTA, Comrade Japhet Onlede, described the development as critical to promoting transparency in the sector.
“Nigeria cannot continue to accumulate debt while citizens remain in darkness, refineries remain dysfunctional, and critical gas infrastructure projects remain shrouded in secrecy. Transparency in oil and gas procurement is not optional; it is indispensable,” he said.
The organisation is seeking, among other reliefs, an order to sanction Lee Engineering with a fine of ₦500,000 payable into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account, or alternatively compel the Attorney General to initiate prosecution for alleged breaches of the FOI Act.
CCSTA argued that private companies handling public funds or performing public functions must comply with transparency laws, warning that non-compliance should attract legal consequences.
The case comes amid increasing scrutiny of procurement practices in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with stakeholders raising concerns over opacity, contract inflation and weak regulatory oversight.
