Group Asks Court To Order AGF, EFCC To Probe SPDC Suit

The Global Network for Youth Empowerment and Equal Justice, has asked the Federal High Court to order the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the EFCC to investigate Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The network, which is a Civil Society Group, approached the court on Thursday seeking an order of mandamus to compel the AGF and EFCC to investigate the alleged theft of 16 million barrels of crude oil by Shell.

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The group in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/251/2021, named seven top executives of Shell;  Chibueze Uduanochie, Simon Ruddy, Bashir Bello, Osagie Okunbor, Igo Weli, Toyin Olagunji and Capt. Callium Finlayson as respondents.

In its application, the group is praying for an order granting leave to it to apply for judicial review in the to forthwith commence the investigation of Shell and the seven executives over the alleged fraudulent diversion, conversion, and concealment of  barrels of crude oil.

“The crude oil belonging to the Local Oil Companies (LOCs) through the use of DPR unapproved temporary  meter against the express provision and in violation of Part 1, Section 2(d) of the Mineral Oil Safety Regulation and Section 51 of the Petroleum Act between June 2016 to May 2017.

“An order of mandamus directing and compelling the AGF and the EFCC, jointly and severally, either by themselves, agencies, officers, privies, servants or howsoever described, to make public or publish the report of their investigation of the allegations against shell and the others.

Among other reliefs, the group is asking for an order of mandamus directing and compelling the AGF and the EFCC, jointly and severally, either by themselves or other relevant security agencies, where the investigation discloses commission of crime to immediately arrest and prosecute Shell and the others.

No date has been fixed for hearing in the suit.

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Speaking to newsmen shortly after filing the processes, counsel to the applicant, Tochukwu Ohazuruike said that his client approached the court so that the AGF and the EFCC would  be compelled to conduct the investigation on their own and also prosecute any offenders.

He stated that his client relied on correspondences between the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Shell showing where DPR had indicted Shell and Shell had admitted and accepted to pay back the crude oil to the local oil companies who were the owners of the crude.

He also alleged that Shell committed the infraction by the use of an unapproved metering system for which the DPR had even imposed a fine on Shell.

Ohazurike said that his client had attached all relevant documentary evidence to the court processes and was ready to conduct the matter.