Three former Managing Directors of Nigeria’s major refineries have threatened legal action against a leading national newspaper, demanding N50 billion in damages over an alleged defamatory report that linked them to a multi-billion-dollar fraud scandal.
The former MDs – Mr. Ibrahim Onoja (Port Harcourt Refining Company), Mr. Efifia Chu (Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company), and Dr. Mustafa Sugungun (Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company) – have alleged that the newspaper falsely implicated them in a $3 billion refinery rehabilitation fraud. The report specifically claimed that N80 billion was traced to one of their personal accounts.
In a letter dated May 5, 2025, and delivered to the newspaper’s head office in Lagos, legal counsel to the three former officials, Reuben Atabo, SAN, demanded an immediate retraction, public apology, and damages for libel, according to News Agency of Nigeria.
The letter, titled: “Re: Your False Misleading and Defamatory Publication of 3rd May, 2025 Captioned: ‘Authorities Trace N80bn to Ex-MD as $3bn Fraud Rocks Nigerian Refineries’ — Demand for Retraction, Public Apology and Damages for Libel,” was also made available to newsmen in Abuja.
According to the legal document, the report published on May 3, 2025, made “grossly misleading and factually baseless claims” that the three former refinery chiefs were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged misappropriation of $2.96 billion meant for refinery rehabilitation.
The legal document states that the May 3, 2025, report made ““grossly misleading and factually baseless claims,” alleging that the three former refinery chiefs were arrested by the EFCC for the alleged misappropriation of $2.96 billion intended for refinery rehabilitation.
Atabo clarified that only Dr. Sugungun was invited by the EFCC for routine questioning and was never detained, as no evidence of wrongdoing was found against him.
“Neither Mr Chu nor Mr Onoja was invited, interrogated, or investigated by the EFCC or any other security agency in relation to the publication’s allegations,” Atabo stated.
He further stressed that “There is no truth whatsoever to the claim that N80 billion or any amount was traced to the personal accounts of any of our clients.”
Atabo further stated that it wasn’t until the evening of Sunday, May 5 – two days after the publication – that invitations were extended to Onoja, Chu, and two other former officials (Tijani and Ademoye) to appear before the EFCC on May 8, 2025.
The letter described the publication as “malicious and reckless,” claiming it had damaged the professional integrity of the former refinery MDs, subjecting them to public hatred, ridicule, and suspicion.
The lawyer cautioned that such unfounded allegations, particularly amid Nigeria’s ongoing fuel availability and affordability crisis, could fuel public anger and hostility toward the former officials.
To address the damage, the legal team demanded that the media outlet issue an unreserved apology and a full retraction in: Five national newspapers, and Five international media outlets.
They are also seeking N50 billion in aggravated damages for defamation and libel.
“Our clients rose through the ranks to the peak of their careers in the oil and gas industry. This attack on their reputation is unprovoked and unjustified,” the letter noted.
The legal counsel set a five-day deadline, warning that if the demands are not met, legal action will be taken against the newspaper both in Nigeria and internationally.
