Matrix Energy
By Victory Oghene
An indigenous oil company, Matrix Energy Limited, has filed a N20 billion libel suit against two media houses at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court over alleged importation of low-grade fuel from Malta to Nigeria.
The company and its Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Abdulkadir Adisa Aliu, are the plaintiffs in the suits number CV/3718/2024 and CV/3719/2024.
In a suit filed by their counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, the plaintiffs are praying the court for an order restraining the two media houses from further publishing libelous reports against them.
The company and its CEO are seeking N10 billion each as damages from the two media houses and an additional N200 million as the cost of filing the suit.
According to the suit numbered CV/3718/2024, the report titled, ‘From Russia to Malta: How Matrix Energy imports dirty petrol’, alleged that the oil company had been importing substandard petroleum products from Malta, a country with no known oil refineries.
Court documents on the libel case
Denying the allegation, the plaintiffs asked the court for a declaration that the publications made by the defendants on August 17, 2024, is false, malicious, libelous and defamatory.
They also asked for an order compelling the defendants to forthwith delete or cause to be deleted the libelous/defamatory words contained in the publications, as well as an order compelling the defendants to immediately and wholly retract the libelous/defamatory words contained in their publications.
In the same vein, the plaintiffs are asking the court to order the defendants to tender an unreserved apology over the publications.
In addition to seeking the sum of N10 billion as damages, the plaintiffs also asked the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing libelous or any other defamatory words/stories about them.
The plaintiffs informed the court that the reports published by the defendants “deliberately, carelessly, intentionally and maliciously” portrayed them as conniving with economic enemies of Nigeria to import adulterated, substandard/low quality petroleum products into the country.
Recall that Matrix Oil Limited had in a statement by its Spokesman, Ibrahim Akinola, denied reports linking it to the importation of petrol from Malta to Nigeria.
Statement issued by Matrix Energy
Matrix Energy stated: “Matrix Energy Group is a wholly indigenous and independent oil marketing and trading company, with substantial investments in strategic infrastructure, including vessels, oil and gas terminals, trucks, and retail outlets across 28 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Our company is recognized and approved by global international companies, national oil companies, major construction firms, and various end-users. Our consistent ability to deliver on all contracts at competitive prices has solidified our strong position in the industry today.
“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is the sole regulatory body empowered by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to issue import licenses and enforce the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) product specifications. Matrix Energy has consistently imported products that meet the approved specifications, and we have never been found wanting in this regard. Our commitment to quality is reflected in the fact that none of our customers has ever rejected our products; indeed, demand for Matrix products often exceeds our capacity to supply, a testament to our reputation for reliability. This success is equally reflected in our fertilizer businesses.
“Our depots boast a storage capacity of 150 million liters of liquid products, including the Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG and bitumen. However, contrary to the claims made in the aforementioned publication, we did not discharge 200,000 metric tons of PMS into our facility in July 2024. While we have the capacity and customer base to handle such volumes, Matrix Energy has never imported or distributed any substandard cargo in our two decades of operation. Our quality test has never been doubted by the regulators and Nigerians who have found a partner in us.”
