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By Oscar Okhifo
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has cleared Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and other firms to continue oil pipeline surveillance operations after dismissing a suit seeking to halt the arrangement.
In a certified true copy of the ruling sighted by Pointblanknews.com, the court held that all parties involved in the surveillance operations should continue performing their duties in the national interest, citing the strategic importance of protecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
The suit, filed by the Registered Trustees of Peoples Wellbeing Association, sought to stop the renewal and restructuring of pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to private security firms, including Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, and Abokus Integrated Security Services Ltd.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court refused the ex parte application and instead granted accelerated hearing of the substantive motion on notice. The matter was adjourned to April 21, 2026, for hearing.
The court further directed the applicants to serve all originating and accompanying processes on the defendants, including those outside its jurisdiction.
Those joined in the suit include the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, and Abokus Integrated Security Services Ltd.
Court documents dated April 2, 2026, showed that the claimants had sought an interim injunction restraining the AGF and NNPCL from renewing the surveillance contracts pending the determination of the motion on notice.
They also asked the court to compel the Federal Government to restructure the entire pipeline surveillance framework and transfer full responsibility for protecting oil infrastructure to statutory security agencies, with oversight over private contractors.
However, Justice Kawu rejected the application, warning that granting such reliefs could be detrimental to Nigeria’s economic stability.
He noted that halting the current surveillance arrangement could create a security vacuum, potentially increasing oil theft and leading to significant revenue losses.
“The court cannot grant orders that may plunge the nation into economic crisis,” the judge held, adding that pipeline security remains a matter of overriding public interest.
The court ruled that the Federal Government and NNPCL are at liberty to proceed with the renewal of surveillance contracts, provided operations are not disrupted pending determination of the substantive suit.
Justice Kawu further directed all parties involved in pipeline surveillance to remain at their posts and continue their duties, stressing the need to avoid disruption to critical national assets.
He added that no order should be made that would jeopardise the economic stability of the country, reaffirming that uninterrupted protection of oil facilities remains essential pending the final determination of the case.