Cannabis-laden truck: NNPC may institute legal action over unauthorised use of corporate identity

By Onu Okorie

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPC Ltd. has commenced a review of its brand-protection and asset-monitoring measures and may institute legal action over the unauthorised use of its corporate identity on a truck seized with 2,145 kilogrammes of cannabis in Ondo State.
The company also pledged to support the ongoing investigation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) into the individuals or entities responsible for the truck and the use of NNPC markings on the vehicle.
In a statement signed by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, on Monday, NNPC Ltd. clarified that the truck, with registration number MKA 960 XC, intercepted by the NDLEA with the illicit drug concealed in a compartment, does not belong to the company.
NNPC said preliminary investigations established that the vehicle was neither part of its official fleet nor that of any of its authorised dealers.
The company, however, said it was concerned that the truck carried markings associated with NNPC, stressing that the logo displayed on the vehicle was inconsistent with its current official branding.
It added that the vehicle could not be traced to its asset database, further reinforcing its position that the truck was not an NNPC-owned or authorised vehicle.
NNPC said it was engaging the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain additional information and establish how its old branding came to be displayed on the vehicle.
The national oil company warned that it would not tolerate the unauthorised use of its corporate identity, particularly when such misuse is associated with criminal or unlawful activities.
It said the incident had prompted a review of its brand-protection and asset-monitoring mechanisms, adding that legal action would be considered where necessary to protect its brand, trademarks and other corporate identifiers.
NNPC further pledged full cooperation with the NDLEA and other security agencies in investigating the ownership and operation of the truck, as well as the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised display of its markings.
The company expressed support for a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying the individuals or entities behind the vehicle and determining whether its corporate identity was deliberately misused to facilitate or conceal illicit activities.
NNPC urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify the ownership and affiliation of vehicles claiming association with the company through its official channels.
It also commended the NDLEA for its vigilance and professionalism in intercepting the truck and recovering the large consignment of cannabis.
The company reiterated its readiness to assist the authorities until all facts surrounding the incident are established, stressing that any individual or entity found to have unlawfully appropriated its identity would be dealt with in accordance with the law.