By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd have been dragged before a Federal High Court Abuja over an allegation of crude oil theft by Shell Petroleum.
The Global Network for Youth Empowerment and Equal Justice is seeking an order of mandamus to compel the AGF and EFCC to investigate the alleged theft of 16million barrels of crude oil by Shell.
Seven top executives of Shell, namely; Chibueze Uduanochie, Simon Ruddy, Bashir Bello, Osagie Okunbor, Igo Weli, Toyin Olagunji and Captain Callium Finlayson,were mentioned as other respondents in the matter.
By an exparte application filed before the court, the plaintiff/applicant is praying for an order granting leave to them to apply for judicial review in the following terms:
“An order of mandamus directing and compelling each of the 1st and 2nd Respondents, jointly and severally, either by themselves, agencies, officers, privies, servants or howsoever described, to forthwith commence the investigation of the 3rd to the 10th Respondents and/or any other person(s) invoked therein over the alleged fraudulent diversion, conversion, and concealment of about 2 million barrels of crude oil belonging to the Local Oil Companies (LOCs) through the use of DPR unapproved temporary cariolis 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 as demanded by the Applicant’s letter dated 22nd day of February, 2021.
