Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, has rejected an allegation by former Niger Delta militant leader Mujahid Asari-Dokubo that the monarch receives ₦2.7 trillion annually from pipeline surveillance contracts, challenging him to produce documentary evidence capable of substantiating the claim.
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The monarch’s position was conveyed on Tuesday in a statement by Collins Edema, his sole representative to NNPC Limited and its joint venture partners.
Asari-Dokubo had alleged during a public commentary that the Olu of Warri and some other individuals receive ₦2.7 trillion annually from pipeline surveillance arrangements.
Responding, Edema said the allegation was categorically rejected and insisted that a claim of such magnitude should be supported by verifiable evidence rather than public rhetoric.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the allegation that the Olu of Warri receives ₦2.7 trillion annually from pipeline surveillance contracts is categorically rejected,” the statement said.
“We challenge Mr Dokubo to produce the documentary evidence upon which this extraordinary claim is based.”
Edema argued that the seriousness of the allegation made it necessary for Asari-Dokubo to disclose whatever contracts, payment records, government documents or other materials formed the basis of his assertion.
The statement also examined Asari-Dokubo’s style of public commentary, noting his history in the Niger Delta and his association with the era of militancy and armed agitation.
According to Edema, Asari-Dokubo’s rhetoric has retained what he described as the combative character associated with that period.
“His language is frequently categorical, provocative and insufficiently restrained,” he said.
“That style may command attention, but attention should not be confused with credibility, and forcefulness should not be mistaken for evidence.”
However, the Olu’s representative cautioned against dismissing Asari-Dokubo’s allegations merely because of his background, maintaining that the proper approach was to subject the claims themselves to scrutiny.
“The temptation should not be to dismiss everything Dokubo says simply because of his militant past. That would be intellectually lazy,” Edema said.
“Equally, neither should his reputation as a fierce Niger Delta voice confer automatic credibility on his allegations. His claims must stand or fall on the quality of the evidence supporting them.”
The statement also raised questions about what it described as changes in Asari-Dokubo’s position concerning Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and issues arising from relations between Gbaramatu and Itsekiri communities.
Edema said Asari-Dokubo had previously criticised Tompolo over pipeline security arrangements and related disputes but had more recently defended him while directing allegations at other actors.
He stressed that a change of position did not, on its own, establish bad faith, but said it was legitimate to ask what had changed and what evidence now supported the position being advanced.
Beyond the dispute over the ₦2.7 trillion figure, the statement called for greater scrutiny and transparency around pipeline surveillance arrangements because of their importance to Nigeria’s economy and national security.
“Pipeline surveillance contracts in Nigeria are not ordinary commercial arrangements,” Edema said.
He noted that Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure constitutes a critical national asset and that the effectiveness of pipeline security affects crude oil production, government revenue, foreign exchange earnings and the broader economy.
Edema consequently called for any genuine concerns surrounding pipeline surveillance contracts to be investigated through an examination of relevant contracts, procurement processes, corporate records, government approvals, performance reports and regulatory documents.
“If wrongdoing is alleged, the appropriate institutions should investigate and establish the facts,” he said.
“And if no wrongdoing is established, politically charged allegations should not be allowed to substitute for evidence.”
The Olu’s representative further warned about the potential consequences of inflammatory statements involving the Olu of Warri, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Tompolo and other figures in the Niger Delta, given the region’s history of political and ethnic tensions.
“The Niger Delta has paid a heavy price for politics conducted through confrontation and inflammatory rhetoric. It would be deeply unfortunate if old habits of militancy and unguarded speech were allowed to reopen ethnic anxieties that responsible stakeholders are trying to put behind them,” the statement said.
“Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo relations require responsible leadership, not rhetoric that can easily be interpreted as provocation.”
Edema maintained that the key issue was not the personalities involved but whether the allegation could withstand independent examination.
“Whoever makes the allegation should provide the evidence. Whoever is accused should have the opportunity to respond,” he said.
He added that pipeline surveillance should ultimately be viewed beyond individual contracts or personalities because of its wider implications for Nigeria’s economic security.
“Pipeline security is ultimately about more than contracts. It is about protecting national assets, safeguarding economic activity and securing an important part of Nigeria’s economic survival,” the statement added.
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