The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has secured a legal victory after the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja dismissed a $19.6 million claim arising from a dispute linked to a Direct Sale Direct Purchase arrangement.
The court ruled in favour of NNPCL after finding that the claimant failed to establish sufficient legal basis for the demand, which centred on alleged professional fees tied to the transaction.
The case involved claims that the scope of the original agreement had been expanded through verbal understandings and informal engagements between the parties.
However, the court held that the terms of a written contract remain binding unless any amendments are formally documented and mutually approved.
In its judgment, the court reaffirmed the principle that contractual obligations cannot be altered through oral agreements without proper legal documentation.
The ruling effectively absolves NNPCL of liability in the disputed $19.6 million claim and concludes the legal proceedings over the contract dispute.