$19.6 Million Claim Against NNPCL Dismissed, As Court Says “Rules Contract Scope Can’t Be Orally Changed”

An Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has dismissed a $19.6 million USD suit filed by Alternate Dimensions Ventures Limited against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), affirming a key legal principle “a written contract cannot be expanded through oral agreements or conduct”.

Alternate Dimensions had sought $19,600,000 in professional fees, claiming the scope of its Direct Sale, Direct Purchase (DSDP e-pro) contract with NNPCL was orally expanded. Represented by counsel Patrick Peter, the firm argued it was entitled to the revised sum for services rendered under the alleged new terms.

But NNPCL, through its lawyer Ituah Imhanze, pushed back sharply, arguing that parties are bound exclusively by the clear terms of their written agreement. 

Imhanze had ontended that without any written amendment, the claim was legally unsound, and the court agreed.

Delivering judgment, Justice Hamza Mu’azu upheld NNPCL’s defence, stating that the contract was unambiguous and that no evidence was adduced during the trial, which supported the alleged scope expansion. 

The court further found that NNPCL fully complied with all contractual terms and committed no breach.

Dismissing the suit as meritless, Justice Mu’azu reinforced the doctrine of sanctity of contract: any amendment to a written agreement must be express, unequivocal, and documented, not implied or verbal.

The ruling discharged NNPCL from the S19.6 million claim and also a floodgate of similar potential liabilities.