Malabu Sues FG Again Over OPL 245, Seeks ₦1 Trillion in Damages
By Victor Idajili
The fight over Nigeria’s disputed OPL 245 oil block is back in court. Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd has filed a fresh suit against the Federal Government, challenging its decision to break up the asset into four separate blocks.
In the case filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/871/2026, Malabu is asking the court to declare the government’s actions illegal, cancel the new agreements, and pay ₦1 trillion in damages for what it calls unlawful interference with its rights.
The company named President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Minister of Petroleum Resources as defendants. Malabu alleges the government reallocated the block despite ongoing appeals in higher courts.
According to filings by senior lawyer R.O. Atabo (SAN), the government split OPL 245 among Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep Ltd, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd, and NNPC Ltd through a resolution agreement signed in March 2026. Malabu argues its ownership rights remain valid and protected under the Petroleum Industry Act.
In an affidavit, shareholder and director Mohammed Sani Abacha said the block was first awarded to Malabu in 1998. The licence was later revoked, triggering years of litigation and settlements. Malabu says the block was officially returned to it in 2010 under a settlement agreement, giving it exclusive rights.
The company claims the government went ahead to convert OPL 245 to OML 245 and signed new deals with other operators without involving Malabu, even while appeals are still pending at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Malabu also cited recent comments by presidential energy adviser Olu Arowolo-Verheijen and NNPC boss Bayo Ojulari as evidence the government intends to transfer full control of the asset.
It is asking the court to void the agreements and stop any further action on the block until all existing cases are resolved.
The hearing is set for June 11, 2026.
