Nigerian court orders ExxonMobil chief, Richard Laing, arrested

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the managing director of ExxonMobil, Richard Laing.

The ordered was issued after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) argued that Laing had refused to appear over an investigation into an alleged fraudulent pipeline project concerning his company.

The EFCC said the investigation related to the alleged fraudulent creation of procurement orders worth more than $213 million as part of a pipelines project.

The January 29 warrant, granted by Justice Okon Abang, compels Laing to appear before anti-graft investigators.

EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren was quoted by Reuters as saying that the investigation is into the company, and not Laing’s personal affairs.

“EFCC invited them in the course of the investigation but they have refused to honour the invitation,” Uwujaren said.

“That is why we went to court to compel his appearance for investigation,” he said.