HEDA Sues FG, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited Over Alleged Unlawful Oil Licence Transfer
The Incorporated Trustees of HEDA Resource Centre has instituted legal action against the Federal Government, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, and other parties over what it describes as the unlawful transfer of oil licence interests in a major oil asset divestment deal.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos and numbered FHC/L/CS/850/25, is being led by renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Adegoke, SAN. HEDA is challenging the legality of the transfer of interests in oil mining lease assets by Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, Eni Societa Per Azioni, and Oando PLC, alleging that the transaction was conducted in breach of statutory provisions.
HEDA contends that the deal violated several legal and environmental regulations, including:
The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021
The Guidelines for Obtaining Minister’s Consent to Assignment of Interest in Oil and Gas Assets (2021)
The Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations (2022)
The Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions Regulations (2023)
The Upstream Petroleum Environmental Remediation Regulations (2024)
In the suit, HEDA is asking the court to declare the transaction unlawful, invalid, and of no legal effect, claiming that the transfer lacked adherence to legal and environmental procedures. The group is also seeking:
A perpetual injunction restraining relevant government agencies from recognising or approving the deal.
An order of nullification of any ministerial consent already granted.
The defendants in the suit include the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
In a public statement, HEDA Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, emphasized the significance of the case:
> “This suit is about more than just a corporate deal, it’s about the integrity of our regulatory systems and the future of environmental governance in Nigeria. We cannot continue to allow powerful interests to bypass laws meant to protect citizens, the environment, the economy, and integrity of the country.”
HEDA maintains that this legal step is in line with its long-standing commitment to transparency, environmental justice, and regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s extractive sector. The organisation believes that this case could set a critical precedent ensuring oil licence transfers and divestments comply strictly with Nigerian law—particularly in this era of responsible governance and environmental sustainability.
