Group warns Matrix against media suppression amid petrol import probe

• Published On: 28 August 2024 at 19:23

The Centre for Accountability and Transparency, an anti-corruption organisation, has urged Matrix Energy Limited to reconsider its alleged attempts to suppress media reports about allegations of substandard petrol importation into Nigeria.

This was revealed in a statement issued on Wednesday by CAAT's Convener, Okwa Dan, who accused Matrix Energy of attempting to intimidate media organizations that had published stories about the company's alleged business practices, according to Nairametrics.

This comes after Matrix Energy filed a lawsuit in Federal Capital Territory High Court, seeking to stop two media outlets and others from publishing what it claims are defamatory reports about its oil shipping operations.

In court filings, Matrix and its CEO, Abdulkadir Adisa Aliu, denied any "involvement in colluding with Nigeria's economic enemies to import adulterated, substandard, or low-quality petroleum products into the country," as some media outlets reported.

They had previously responded to reports accusing them of importing substandard petrol into Nigeria, particularly from Malta, by insisting that their products met the necessary standards.

As previously reported, Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote Refinery, recently accused certain oil operators of colluding with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to operate an illegal blending plant in Malta.

According to Dangote, this facility is used to import low-quality petroleum products into Nigeria.

Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPC, has denied any involvement in the ownership or operation of a refinery in Malta.

Aside from its rebuttal, Matrix has petitioned the FCT High Court for declaratory relief (dated August 21, 2024) against specific publications, including a "retraction" of the reports and more than N10 billion in "damages."

Ahmed Raji SAN, the lawyer for Matrix Energy Limited, has urged the court to rule that the media organizations "falsely and maliciously published" reports about his clients.

He emphasized that his clients are part of a select group of prominent Nigerians committed to developing long-term strategies to improve the country's economic governance and ensure effective and coordinated economic planning and implementation.

Commenting on the development, Dan stated that Section 22 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) states that:

"The press, radio, television, and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people."

He contended that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees everyone the right to free expression, including the ability to hold opinions and receive and impart information without interference.

He also stated that because government institutions are involved in the oil industry, media outlets have a responsibility to report on these activities and hold the government accountable at all levels.

"We are, therefore, telling Matrix Energy Limited that its attempt to gag the media through the courts is a futile exercise.

"As Nigerians, we will do everything possible to obtain information about issues that affect us, such as contaminated gasoline, which causes economic ruin, environmental damage, and health risks. Matrix Energy Limited cannot stop this," Dan claimed.

CAAT has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest and prosecute those involved in economic sabotage and violations of international sanctions on specific crude oil.

"We further invite the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate Matrix Energy Limited," according to the statement.