The Human Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has filed a lawsuit against Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, Renaissance African Energy Company Limited, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, challenging the transfer of an oil exploration licence.
The case, brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos, also names the Attorney General of the Federation, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources as co-defendants.
Filed by Kunle Adegoke (SAN) on behalf of HEDA, the suit raises concerns about the legality, transparency, and regulatory compliance of Shell’s divestment of its oil exploration licence to Renaissance African Energy. HEDA argues that the transaction violates key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, as well as environmental regulations that require an Environmental Evaluation Study before such transfers.
The organisation warns that allowing the deal to stand without proper legal and environmental assessments could set a dangerous precedent and harm Nigeria’s environmental and economic interests, especially communities in the Niger Delta.
HEDA is seeking a court declaration that the transfer is unlawful, null, and void, citing multiple violations of Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations 2022, and the Gas Flaring and Methane Emissions Regulations 2023.
The lawsuit highlights growing scrutiny over oil asset transfers in Nigeria, with calls for greater oversight to protect national interests.
