Snapshot from Jun 25, 2026 at 22:38 UTC. For live data and tracking: View Live
Events / Political / Malabu Sues Nigeria Over OPL 245 Split
Domestic lawsuit

Malabu Sues Nigeria Over OPL 245 Split

Analysis based on 10 articles · First reported May 25, 2026 · Last updated May 26, 2026

Sentiment
-20
Attention
4
Articles
10
Market Impact
Direct
Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the NewsDesk Dashboard
Market Impact

The lawsuit filed by Malabu Oil and Gas against the Federal Government of Nigeria introduces significant uncertainty into the future of OPL 245, a major oil block. This could deter further investment in Nigeria's oil and gas sector and potentially impact the operational plans of Shell plc, Eni, and NNPC, who were designated to manage the split assets.

oil and gas legal
Event Summary

Malabu Oil and Gas has filed a N1 trillion lawsuit against the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nigeria — Presidency of Nigeria Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria — Attorney General of the Federation, and the Nigeria — Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The lawsuit challenges the government's decision to split Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245 into four assets and convert it to Oil Mining Lease (OML) 245, arguing that these actions are unlawful and exceed the limits of the Petroleum Industry Act. Malabu Oil and Gas claims its rights over OPL 245 remain valid and that the government acted while several related cases were pending in various courts, including the Nigeria — Federal High Court of Nigeria, Nigeria — Nigerian Courts of Appeal, and India — Supreme Court of India. The company seeks to nullify the conversion and the OPL 245 Resolution Agreement, which designated Shell plc (through its subsidiaries), Eni (through Nigerian_Agip_Exploration_Limited), and NNPC to manage the assets. The Nigeria — Federal High Court of Nigeria has granted Malabu Oil and Gas leave for a judicial review, and the matter is set for hearing on June 11, 2026. This legal dispute reignites a long-standing controversy surrounding OPL 245, which has been subject to numerous legal battles and corruption allegations over the past decades.

Key Actions
100 Malabu Oil and Gas filed lawsuit Nigeria
90 Nigeria split oil block Malabu Oil and Gas
80 Nigeria converted OPL 245 Malabu Oil and Gas
70 Nigeria — Federal High Court of Nigeria granted leave Malabu Oil and Gas
Entities Involved
priv
Malabu Oil and Gas
Malabu Oil and Gas has filed a N1 trillion lawsuit against the Federal Government of Nigeria for allegedly unlawfully splitting OPL 245 into four assets and converting it to OML 245, seeking damages and nullification of the government's actions.
Importance 100 Sentiment 0
cnt
Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria is being sued for N1 trillion by Malabu Oil and Gas over its decision to split OPL 245 and convert it to OML 245, which Malabu Oil and Gas claims is unlawful and exceeds its powers under the Petroleum Industry Act. This legal challenge could impact Nigeria's efforts to resolve long-standing disputes and attract investment in its oil and gas sector.
Importance 90 Sentiment -10
govactor
Nigeria — Presidency of Nigeria
The Nigeria — Presidency of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, is named as a respondent in the lawsuit filed by Malabu Oil and Gas, as the executive actions to split OPL 245 were taken under his administration. This legal challenge questions the legality of his administration's actions regarding the oil block.
Importance 70 Sentiment -10
govactor
Nigeria — Attorney General of the Federation
The Nigeria — Attorney General of the Federation is named as a respondent in the lawsuit, representing the Federal Government of Nigeria in the legal challenge brought by Malabu Oil and Gas regarding OPL 245. The Attorney-General had previously led the team that signed the settlement agreement with Eni and Nigerian_Agip_Exploration_Limited.
Importance 60 Sentiment -10
govactor
Nigeria — Ministry of Petroleum Resources
The Nigeria — Ministry of Petroleum Resources is named as a respondent in the lawsuit, as the ministry is involved in the management and allocation of oil prospecting licenses. The lawsuit challenges the legality of the actions taken by the Nigeria — Ministry of Petroleum Resources in splitting OPL 245.
Importance 60 Sentiment -10
stock
Shell plc
Shell plc, through its subsidiaries Shell_Nigeria_Ultra-Deep_Limited and Shell_Nigeria_Exploration_Production_Company_Ltd, is one of the companies designated to manage the split assets of OPL 245. The lawsuit by Malabu Oil and Gas challenges the legality of this arrangement, potentially affecting Shell plc's operational plans for the block.
Importance 50 Sentiment 0
stock
Eni
Eni, through its subsidiary Nigerian_Agip_Exploration_Limited, is one of the companies designated to manage the split assets of OPL 245. The lawsuit by Malabu Oil and Gas challenges the legality of this arrangement, potentially affecting Eni's operational plans for the block.
Importance 50 Sentiment 0
stock
NNPC
NNPC is one of the entities designated to manage the split assets of OPL 245. The lawsuit by Malabu Oil and Gas challenges the legality of this arrangement, potentially affecting NNPC's involvement in the block.
Importance 50 Sentiment 0
per
Mohammed Sani Abacha
Mohammed Sani Abacha, a shareholder and director of Malabu Oil and Gas, provided an affidavit detailing the company's history and prolonged legal battle over OPL 245, supporting the current lawsuit.
Importance 40 Sentiment 0
govactor
Nigeria — Federal High Court of Nigeria
The Nigeria — Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja is the venue where Malabu Oil and Gas filed its N1 trillion lawsuit against the Federal Government of Nigeria, and where the matter is currently being heard.
Importance 20 Sentiment 0
govactor
India — Supreme Court of India
Malabu Oil and Gas argues that the government's actions were taken while cases related to OPL 245 were pending at the India — Supreme Court of India, indicating the long-standing and high-level nature of the legal dispute.
Importance 20 Sentiment 0
govactor
Nigeria — Nigerian Courts of Appeal
Malabu Oil and Gas argues that the government's actions were taken while cases related to OPL 245 were pending at the Nigeria — Nigerian Courts of Appeal, indicating the long-standing and high-level nature of the legal dispute.
Importance 20 Sentiment 0
per
Reuben Atabo
Reuben Atabo, SAN, is the lawyer representing Malabu Oil and Gas in its lawsuit against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Importance 10 Sentiment 0
per
Mohammed Umar
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Nigeria — Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja is the judge presiding over the lawsuit filed by Malabu Oil and Gas.
Importance 10 Sentiment 0
per
Olu Arowolo-Verheijen
Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, Presidential Adviser on Energy to Nigeria — Presidency of Nigeria, was quoted in a press release regarding the settlement, which Malabu Oil and Gas cited as evidence of the government's intent.
Importance 5 Sentiment 0
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