The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has dragged the Board of Trustees’ Representative of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF), EMOIMEE, in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Charles Usoh (Rtd.), and the NNPC/Seplat Joint Venture to the Federal High Court, Uyo, over alleged refusal to disclose information in breach of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2011.
In a statement issued on Thursday, February 12, 2026, by its Secretary of Research and Documentation, Comrade Etimbuk Ekpenyong, the rights group said the respondents failed to release critical records relating to the operations of the EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust Fund in Eket.
The suit, marked FHC/UY/CS/10/2026, was filed by CHRAN and Otuekong Franklyn Isong as applicants. The respondents are Air Commodore Charles Usoh (Rtd.), in his capacity as representative of the Trust Fund in Eket, and the NNPC/Seplat Joint Venture.
CHRAN is asking the court to compel the respondents to disclose comprehensive details of their activities in Eket Local Government Area, including: the full list of projects executed and their locations; complete list of scholarship beneficiaries; names of all contractors engaged, with copies of their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificates; details of all other interventions carried out in the area since the establishment of the Host Community Trust (EMOIMEE).
Counsel to the applicants, led by former Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Victor Iyanam, alongside Chris Ibanga, Esq., urged the court to grant the reliefs sought and any further orders it may deem fit.
CHRAN acknowledged that the Host Community Development Trust Fund, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, to manage the three percent contribution from settlors such as the NNPC/Seplat JV, is a commendable initiative.
However, the group insisted that such funds must be administered with transparency and accountability for the benefit of host communities.
The organisation disclosed that, it acted on complaints from residents of Eket LGA and in line with Sections 1 and 2 of the FoI Act, 2011.
It said it had formally written to the respondents on November 19, 2025, requesting the same information now being sought in court, but received no response.
According to CHRAN, the respondents’ failure to comply with the lawful request necessitated the legal action.
The matter has been assigned to the Federal High Court 2, Uyo Judicial Division, for hearing and determination on February 23, 2026.
