Ex-NUPRC Chief Komolafe Hires US Firm to ‘Force Removal of Corruption Report’ – We Stand by Our Story – BIGPEN Nigeria amid Threats  

Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, former Chief Executive Officer of the NigerianUpstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has enlisted a US cybersecurity firm, XEye Security (XEye LLC), to compel the removal of an online article linking to an alleged corruption scandal during his tenure. 

The publication originated from a petition by the Nigerian People Against Corruption Coalition (NIPACC).

The petition accused NUPRC under Komolafe’s leadership of misrepresenting and concealing key oil and gas assets, including Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 119, 129, 113, and 31, as well as Oil Prospecting Licences (OPLs) 2005 and 2006. 

This report is a follow‑up to our earlier publication: Updated: ‘Komolafe Operates 33 Bank Accounts, Conceals Oil and Gas Assets in Over US$20Bn Revenue Diversion Scandal, Coalition Alleges in Petition That Led to Sack’.

NIPACC’s Chairman, Iteveh Nur’deen E., and Secretary, C.N. Onyishi Esq., claimed in a document obtained by BIGPEN Nigeria that their earlier petitions to the Presidency contributed to Komolafe’s removal. The coalition alleged that during his tenure, there were disturbing patterns of corruption, regulatory abuse, asset manipulation, and revenue concealment, which they said deprived Nigeria of billions in potential revenue. 

Specifically, NIPACC asserted that assets were falsely classified as non-existent or non-producing—leading to an estimated revenue loss exceeding $20 billion from crude oil sales, gas monetization, royalties, and taxes. The group also accused Komolafe of fraudulent manipulation involving OPL227 and OML 146, claiming acreage was unlawfully reduced without due process, resulting in the disappearance of significant petroleum zones. Similar allegations targeted OMLs 33, 46, and 74, where NIPACC claims large portions of land were concealed, costing Nigeria billions. 

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Additionally, NIPACC accused the former NUPRC leadership of facilitating illicit activities by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), alleging under reporting of oil wells and substantial revenue leakages. The coalition further cited findings linking Komolafe to multiple personal and corporate bank accounts, which they claimed were undeclared in compliance with statutory requirements. 

But reacting, the US firm contracted by Komolafe, via an email dated January 8, 2026, from Alex Statham, dismissed the allegations as false and defamatory. Statham stated, “We have identified articles containing misleading statements that unfairly damage Mr. Komolafe’s reputation. We demand the removal of the article and seek an amicable resolution.” 

Specifically, he wrote; “I am writing on behalf of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, with full authorization to represent his interests in this matter. We have identified articles published on your platform that contain defamatory and misleading statements which unfairly damage his reputation”.  

On January 11, 2026, Komolafe signed a Power of Attorney authorizing Nigerian media consultancy and reputation management firm, Solution Media Global, with Dr. Godspower Oshodin as CEO, to manage his online presence and handle communications with media outlets and online platforms. 

In the letter he personally signed, Komolafe, authorised Oshodin to represent him in “all dealings, negotiations and communications with online platforms,search engines, media outlets, websites administrators and any relevant third parties”. 

Subsequently, the legal department of XEye Security, now representing Solution Media Global, issued a formal demand for the immediate removal of the article, asserting that its content was false and damaging. They provided supporting documentation which included authorization letters from Komolafe and Oshodin and URLs purportedly demonstrating Komolafe’s ‘innocence’. 

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“We are writing on behalf of XEye Security (XEye LLC) – Legal Department, duly authorized by Solution Media Global Company, which in turn has been formally authorized by the affected individual referenced in the articles”… The firm warned that continued publication could lead to legal action,including court orders and damages claims. They requested acknowledgment of the demand within 12 hours and confirmation of removal within 24 hours, threatening escalation if ignored.

BIGPEN NIGERIA reports that they neither counter the allegations contained in the said publication nor provided any support documentation disproving the article rather than the demand for removal of the link. 

Editor’s Note: 

BIGPEN Nigeria has documented several threats and suspicious activities linked to Komolafe following the publication of the article on December 21,2025. Several of our reporters and agents across Nigeria are reportedly under threat, with allegations that Oshodin is tracking their movements. 

Based on documented evidence in our possession, we affirm our commitment to our original story and will not succumb to threats.

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