By Adedapo Adesanya 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited  to court over its alleged failure to account for approximately N5.9 billion reportedly spent on the incorporation, transition and rebranding of the state oil firm from a corporation to a company.

In the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order compelling the national oil company to explain how the funds were spent and disclose the officials and contractors involved in the process.

According to the organisation, the NNPC allegedly spent N2.9 billion from petroleum product proceeds on incorporation expenses, while the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) reportedly charged another N2.9 billion to crude oil revenue for the same purpose, bringing the total expenditure to about N5.9 billion.

SERAP said it is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the NNPCL to account for about N5.9 billion allegedly spent on the rebranding of the NNPC to the NNPCL.”

The group also asked the court to compel the company to provide “a comprehensive reconciliation statement detailing the specific financial transactions relating to the N5.9 billion expenditure, including the identities of the contractors involved and how the funds were utilised.”

It further requested the disclosure of the names and official positions of government officials who authorised and approved the expenditure, as well as clarification on whether the spending complied with procurement laws and due-process requirements.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1248/2026, was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

The legal action was filed on behalf of SERAP by lawyers, Ms Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Ms Kehinde Oyewumi and Mr Andrew Nwankwo.

According to SERAP, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had reportedly raised concerns over the expenditure categorised as incorporation and transition costs during the transformation process.

“The Committee described the spending of the ₦5.9 billion as excessive, unjustifiable and deserving of further explanation, investigation and legislative scrutiny in the public interest,” the organisation stated.

SERAP argued that the public has a right to know how the funds were spent, insisting that transparency and accountability must guide the operations of the state-owned oil company.

“The NNPCL has a legal responsibility to explain whether the ₦5.9 billion expenditure represents value for money, constitutes lawful spending of public funds, and complies with applicable due-process requirements,” SERAP said.

“There ought to be full transparency and accountability regarding the reported ₦5.9 billion spent on rebranding NNPC to NNPCL. Nigerians have the right to know who approved the expenditure, who received the funds, the nature of the services rendered, and whether due process and procurement requirements were strictly followed.”

The organisation added that disclosing the identities of the officials involved and the approval process would enable Nigerians assess whether the expenditure was properly authorised and in line with extant laws.

SERAP further argued that the alleged failure to account for the funds reflects broader accountability concerns within the NNPCL.

“The failure to account for the spending of the ₦5.9 billion on the rebranding from NNPC to NNPCL reflects a broader failure of accountability and is directly linked to the institution’s continuing inability to uphold transparency and accountability principles,” it stated.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Brent crude prices fell by $3.05 or 3.37 per cent to $87.33 per barrel on Friday, the lowest level since early March, triggered by expectations of an imminent ‌peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

Also, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude finished at $84.88 a barrel after it gave up $2.83 or 3.23 per cent. It was its lowest level since April 17.

Reuters reported that a memorandum between the US and Iran to halt the war in the Gulf could be signed as soon as Sunday, citing sources.

The sources indicate that the US would immediately begin releasing billions of Dollars in frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on its oil exports, in return for Iran opening the strait.

The proposals also include discussion of possible war reparations for Iran and dropping longstanding US demands for limits on Iran’s missile program, the sources were quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that a memorandum of understanding had not yet been signed and could still change.

He also said that management of the Strait of Hormuz would not ⁠return to the pre-war era, that sovereignty over the strait belonged to ⁠Iran and Oman, and that Iran would secure safe ⁠passage for ships through it.

US President Donald Trump called off threatened air strikes against Iran on Thursday, while it was reported that final negotiations on the memorandum would focus on nuclear and economic issues but would exclude discussions about Iran’s missile programme.

On Thursday, Iran ‌announced ⁠a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, saying it would fire on any ship trying to pass through.

Traffic through the strait, which normally carries a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has been extremely limited as a result of the war.

The US military, however, said on social media that commercial ships continued to transit the waterway.

Goldman Sachs lowered its 2027 average Brent forecast to $80 a barrel ⁠on higher supply and lower demand, but expects prices to exceed the 2025 average on stockpiling of OECD commercial oil stocks and a security premium for disruptions.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Thursday lowered its forecast for 2026 world oil demand growth to 970,000 barrels per day ⁠from a previous 1.17 million barrels per day, its second straight downward revision.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Lagos-based Dangote Petroleum Refinery has been described by Standard Bank Group as a transformational industrial project with far-reaching implications for Nigeria and Africa.

The company, which is Africa’s largest financial institution, gave this description after a tour of the facility recently.

Standard Bank, the parent company of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has promised to support the planned listing of the 650,000 barrels per day refinery and expressed readiness to finance future expansion projects across the continent.

The chief executive of the lender, Mr Sim Tshabalala, said, “We are here because the Dangote Group is a large and important global player and a significant force on the African continent.”

“Standard Bank is the largest financial institution in Africa, and we have partnered with Dangote on a variety of initiatives. We are here to lend support, to see this magnificent refinery and to discuss Vision 2030 and how we can continue supporting the Group’s growth ambitions,” he added.

Mr Tshabalala disclosed that Standard Bank intends to play a leading role in the refinery’s planned Initial Public Offering and future growth initiatives.

“As Dangote lists, there is an IPO coming up, and we are a leading player in that process,” he said, adding that, “As the group continues to expand in Nigeria and across Africa, there will be opportunities for financial advisory services and balance sheet support, and we stand ready to provide both.”

He further described the refinery as “a wonder of the world,” noting that its impact is already being felt through stronger foreign exchange earnings, improved balance-of-payments performance and enhanced energy security.

“This is a wonder to behold. It is massive, productive and transformative. It is already making a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economy through its impact on foreign reserves, the balance of payments and the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

The Group Vice President for Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Devakumar Edwin, said the visit represented a significant milestone in a partnership that began during the refinery’s construction phase.

“The bank visited us during construction and understood the scale of what we were building,” Mr Edwin said. “Today, the refinery is fully operational, and they can see what their support has helped to create. It is like nurturing a tree and eventually seeing it bear fruit.”

He added that both organisations are exploring opportunities to deepen collaboration as Dangote expands its industrial footprint across Africa.

Also speaking, the chief executive of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Mr David Bird, said the visit highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships in delivering large-scale industrial projects.

“Standard Bank has been one of our strongest supporters throughout the history of the refinery and the broader Dangote Group.

“This visit was an opportunity to demonstrate what that support has enabled. Seeing is believing, and it allows our partners to appreciate the scale of what has been achieved,” Mr Bird stated.

The visit also coincided with a major operational milestone for the refinery, which has now exceeded its original design capacity.

Mr Bird disclosed that the refinery recently completed performance test runs at 700,000 barrels per day, above its nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

“We have always believed there was engineering flexibility built into the design,” he said. “Achieving sustained production of 700,000 barrels per day is a testament to the technical capability of our people and the strength of the systems we have built.”