The Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an interlocutory injunction to restrain the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and other government officials from accessing or disbursing ₦62.55 billion approved as a cost variation for projects the group alleges have already been completed.
According to a statement issued by the group’s Convener, Dr. Douglas Fabeke, the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1524/26, names HYPREP, its Project Coordinator, the Chairman of the HYPREP Board of Trustees, the Head of its Accounts Department, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Minister of Environment as defendants.
OLI, through its counsel, argued that the approved cost variation was irregular, lacked due process, and amounted to a misappropriation of public funds intended for the environmental remediation of Ogoniland.
Fabeke said the organisation had presented documentary evidence before the court alleging fraudulent financial transactions within HYPREP.
He also criticised the relevant National Assembly committee for allegedly failing to release the findings of its oversight investigation, claiming that more than ₦400 billion in project funds had been found to be unaccounted for.
“The current situation of the Ogoni people is heartbreaking. Billions have been budgeted, yet our communities remain polluted and impoverished. We will pursue this case not only in Nigerian courts but also through international legal and human rights mechanisms until accountability is achieved,” Fabeke said.
The group also called for the immediate removal of the Minister of Environment, alleging involvement in multiple fraudulent activities and accusing the ministry of failing to respond to concerns raised by stakeholders.
According to the statement, OLI has compiled and processed 368 pieces of evidence to be presented before the court, stressing that the legal action is aimed at promoting accountability rather than targeting individuals.
“We are doing this not to fight anybody, but because all our questions on issues of corruption received no response from the ministry and the HYPREP management,” the statement added.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy, due process and the rule of law in its campaign for environmental justice in Ogoniland.
HYPREP and the other parties named in the suit had not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
