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Indigenous oil and gas engineering company, Kaztec, Urges Appeal Court to Set Aside Judgment on OMLs Dispute

Published

2 years ago

December 19, 2023

418 Views

An indigenous oil and gas engineering company, Kaztec Engineering Limited, has asked the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha of Federal High Court Abuja, which struck out its suit filed against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and five others regarding Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 123, 124, 126 and 137.

Justice Maha had in her judgment delivered on December 15, 2023, struck out suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1291/2020, filed by Kaztec Engineering Limited against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources; the Attorney General of the Federation; Mars Exploration and Production Company Ltd; the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Dissatisfied, Kaztec Engineering Limited in its Notice of Appeal filed by its team of lawyers, led by Jeph C. Njikonye, SAN is praying the appellate court to allow the appeal and set aside the whole decision striking out the appellant’s suit/claims.

The appellant also urged the court to invoke Sections 15 and 16 of the Court of Appeal Act and assume jurisdiction to determine its 2nd Amended Originating Summons; and resolve issues 5 endorsed on the appellant’s Amended Originating Summons filed on March 22, 2023 in its favour.

The appellant argued that the trial court erred in law when it struck out its suit on the grounds of non joinder of Salvic Petroleum Resources Ltd, stating that the law is trite that non-joinder of a party does not defeat the cause of action.

Njikonye argued that the joint award of the disputed OMLs to the appellant and Salvic Petroleum Resources Ltd. was clearly delineated to be on equity participation of Kaztec

He urged the court to hold that the appellant (Kaztec) had a distinct cause of action against the respondents to commence its suit and to seek the reliefs sought.

Besides, Njikonye argued that the trial court erred in law when it held that non production of document evidencing payment of signature bonus rendered the court incompetent to entertain the suit.

He stated that the lower court had in its rulings affirmed the appellant’s reasonable cause of action against the respondents, submitting that the appellant never sought any reliefs against Salvic Petroleum Resources Limited being not a necessary party for the determination of the appellant’s suit.

He urged the court to hold that “The appellant had locus standi to commence and maintain the action in its personal capacity, and that the non joinder of Salvic Petroleum Resources Ltd. as a party could not have defeated the Appellant’s cause of action.”

He submitted that the matter submitted to the lower court was for the interpretation of Section 2(1)(B); 12(1); Paragraph 35 Schedule 1 of the Petroleum Act; Letters of Award of Oil Mining Lease (OMLS) 123, 124, 126 and 137 dated 30th March, 2021, 7 April 2021 and 11th June, 2071 and a determination that the review of the award of the OMLs to the appellant in the circumstances of the case was wrongful.

He stated that the issue of payment of signature bonus would not arise until the award to the appellant is restored.

The appellant argued that the competence and jurisdiction of the court to determine matters in dispute between persons, government or authority is regulated by the Constitution and relevant statutes.

He submitted that there was nothing in the provisions of the Petroleum Act, any other law or Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) that made payment of signature bonus a condition precedent for the appellant to commence the suit in the circumstances of the action.

The lower court had issued an interim order directing the parties to the suit (including the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the NUPRC) to maintain the status quo in relation to the said OMLs.

However, in the judgment of the court delivered last Friday, the court held that the Originating Summons was incompetent, having failed to join a necessary party (Salvic Petroleum) to the suit. Consequently, the suit was struck out.

In effect, the appeal entered by Kaztec Engineering Ltd shall act as stay of further action on the subject matter until the appeal is finally determined.

Related Topics:Appeal Court Featured Kaztec Oil and gas engineering company

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FG Plans to Extend Lagos Rail Line to Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals

Keyamo noted that Lagos accounts for 67 per mcent of passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports.

Published

9 hours ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced at the ongoing Invest in Lagos 3.0 summit, that the federal government has concluded arrangements to extend the existing Lagos rail network to the domestic and international terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA).

The move is aimed at improving connectivity and strengthening Lagos’ position as an aviation hub in Africa.

He said discussions between his ministry and the state government are ongoing.

The extension will link the rail line that currently terminates at Ikeja Bus Stop to the airport.

According to Keyamo, the line will pass through the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), continue to the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), and end at the international terminal.

“That rail line is about to start. It is the extension of the rail line. So, Lagos is just ready for the next big step in terms of its aviation activities,” the minister said.

The project is expected to ease access to Nigeria’s busiest airport. It also supports the government’s ambition to position Lagos as a major aviation and logistics hub on the continent.

The proposed link will complement Lagos’ expanding rail network.

Last month, the Lagos State Government said the Blue Line carried about 3.5 million passengers in 2025, with daily ridership rising to 15,000 commuters. Work continues on its extension to Okokomaiko and expansion of services on the Red Line.

Keyamo noted that Lagos accounts for 67 percent of passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports.

He argued that the state’s location gives it a natural advantage to compete with established aviation hubs.

“Just six hours across the Atlantic, you will get to South America from the Lagos airport. Six hours down, you will get to Southern Africa. Six hours to the Middle East, you will get to Dubai or Qatar. Six hours up, you will get to Europe, either France or London.

That is the equidistant advantage that Lagos provides as a hub for the whole of Africa. We will soon catch up with hubs like Addis Ababa and Lome,” he said.

The minister also highlighted ongoing investments in airport infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said about $500 million has been committed to reconstructing and modernising the international terminal at Lagos airport.

The investment will transform the ageing facility into a modern airport capable of handling growing passenger and cargo traffic.

Keyamo added that the federal government has expanded Nigeria’s international airport network. Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo and Maiduguri International Airport have been designated as international airports, bringing the total to seven.

He said the resolution of the long-running dispute between BASL and the federal government shows the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in aviation.

He urged local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in the sector, including the proposed airport project in the Lekki-Epe corridor promoted by the Lagos State Government.If implemented, the airport rail extension will provide direct rail access to the country’s busiest aviation gateway.

It will complement ongoing investments in Lagos’ mass transit system and support broader efforts to improve mobility in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

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Exchange Rates Today, Wednesday 10 June, 2026

Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,390 Sell ₦1,400
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,855 Sell: ₦1, 875
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100

Published

9 hours ago

June 10, 2026

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Official CBN Exchange Rates

US Dollar (USD) ₦1,360.55

Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,823. 00

EURO (EUR) ₦1,873.61

SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,709. 02

JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.49

CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦200.92

West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.40

West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,856. 66

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦362. 38

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.71

Black Market Rates

US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,390 Sell ₦1,400

Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,855 Sell: ₦1, 875

EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100

South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90

UAE Dirham Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370

Chinese Yuan Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200

Ghana Cedi (GHS) Buy ₦100 Sell ₦115

West African CFA Buy ₦2,450 Sell ₦2,550

Central African CFA Buy ₦2,320 Sell 2400

Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900

Credit: CBN I Aboki Forex

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Invest in Lagos 3.0 Summit Attracts more than 600 delegates

Ohibaba.com reports that the summit, themed “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa,” featured presentations from representatives of the Presidency and the governors of Lagos, Imo, Abia, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa states.

Published

13 hours ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

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• Representatives of government and private sector delegates at the summit

Invest in Lagos 3.0 Summit attracted more than 600 delegates—including global institutions, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions and trade networks.

The host governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, called for increased private sector investment in rail transport, energy, agriculture, agro-processing and water infrastructure.

He said that addressing transportation challenges would unlock Lagos’ economic potential, reduce travel time, boost productivity and improve returns on investment.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment through ongoing fiscal reforms. He said the new tax law has eliminated multiple taxation, improved compliance and provided relief for small and medium enterprises.

Oyedele added that stamp duty collection has been transferred to state governments and commended states that have adopted harmonised tax systems.