Matrix CEO sues media for N20b over dirty oil imports report

Indigenous oil company, Matrix Energy, has filed a libel suit against two media houses for reports linking it to the alleged importation of low-grade fuel from Malta to Nigeria.

The company and its CEO, Alhaji Abdulkadir Adisa Aliu, filed the lawsuit before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, seeking N20 billion in damages.

In suits numbered CV/3718/2024 and CV/3719/2024, the plaintiffs described the reports as libelous.

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Through their counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, they are asking the court for an order restraining the media houses from further publishing libelous reports.

The plaintiffs are seeking N10 billion each in damages and an additional N200 million to cover filing costs.

The report, titled “From Russia to Malta: How Matrix Energy Imports Dirty Petrol,” allegedly claimed the company imported substandard petroleum products from Malta, a country without known oil refineries.

Denying the allegations, the plaintiffs asked the court to declare the publications false, malicious, and defamatory.

They also requested orders for the deletion of the libelous content, a retraction of the statements, and an unreserved apology.

In addition, the plaintiffs sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing defamatory content about them.

Matrix Oil Limited had earlier denied the allegations in a statement by its spokesman, Ibrahim Akinola.