Court grants EFCC’s application to arrest ExxonMobil MD over ‘$213m fraud’

A federal high court in Abuja has granted an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest Richard Laing, managing director of ExxonMobil Nigeria, over his alleged involvement in the ‘fraudulent creation of change orders worth over $213million.’

The anti-graft agency on Wednesday, via its official Twitter handle, said Laing had rebuffed its invitations on three different occasions.

Consequently, the EFCC approached the court with an application for a bench warrant for his arrest.

Okon Abang, the judge, granted the prayers of the commission on January 29.

The warrant of arrest was granted based on an ongoing investigation of the EFCC on alleged procurement fraud in the Major Integrity Pipelines Project.

It was gathered that the case involves Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, as contracting company, Suffolk Petroleum Services Limited (SPSL) as the main contractor, Saipem Contracting Nigeria, Global Offshore Limited, and Van Ord as sub-contractor to SPSL.

Court Gives EFCC Nod to Arrest Mobil Nigeria MD

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A Federal High Court, Abuja has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the nod to arrest Mr. Richard Laing, Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/CUZsj8pQrm

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) February 3, 2021

The three affiliate oil firms of ExxonMobil in Nigeria are MPNU, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East).