The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Incorporated Trustees of the Conference of Civil Society for Transparency and Accountability (CCSTA) leave to commence judicial review proceedings over a Freedom of Information request to Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited.

Justice Binta Nyako granted the application on June 25, 2026, following an ex parte motion filed by the organisation in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/889/2026.

According to the enrolled court order, the applicant was granted leave to apply for Judicial Review under the Freedom of Information Act. Justice Nyako also directed that the respondents be put on notice and adjourned the matter until September 23, 2026, for mention.

Court documents indicate that the FOI request concerns records relating to projects reportedly executed for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its subsidiaries, including refinery rehabilitation, gas infrastructure, pipeline repairs, environmental impact assessments, host community development programmes, procurement approvals and local content compliance.

The grant of leave enables the applicant to file and pursue its substantive application, in which violations of the Freedom of Information Act were alleged, and judicial relief was sought against the respondents.

However, the case has not been determined on the merits; hence the allegations of fact contained in the originating process remain unproven pending judicial determination.

Speaking on the development, CCSTA Chairman, Comrade Japhet Onlede, said Transparency in oil and gas procurement is not optional; it is indispensable to economic stability, debt sustainability, energy security and public trust.”

“Nigeria cannot continue to accumulate debt while citizens remain in darkness, refineries remain dysfunctional and critical gas infrastructure projects remain shrouded in secrecy,” he said.

CCSTA argues that private entities performing public functions or utilising public funds are bound by the provisions of the FOI Act and cannot lawfully refuse to disclose information of public interest.

Reacting, Lee Engineering & Construction Company Limited stated that no court has made any findings whatsoever against it. In a letter dated July 1, 2026, the Company, through its counsel, Highflyers Solicitors, said it was unaware of the existence of the substantive case until the ex parte proceeding was published online.

It asserted that it had not been served with any originating process or any other court process as at the date of the above-referenced letter. The Company maintained that it first became aware of the pendency of the matter via an online report.

It further explained that the Federal High Court had not made any pronouncement on the substance of the allegations, as it merely granted leave for the judicial review proceedings to commence.

The Company expressed readiness to fully contest any allegations properly brought before the court, provided it is served in accordance with the law.