Former Halliburton Executive Togun Files $250 Million Discrimination Lawsuit Against the Company

Mr. Olukayode Togun, a former high-ranking executive at Halliburton Energy Services Inc., has brought a lawsuit against the oilfield services company in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, located in Lagos. He claims that his employment was terminated wrongfully and accuses the company of discriminatory practices and violations of international labor standards.

In the legal action, identified as NICN/LA/268/2025, Togun, represented by his attorney Mr. Folabi Kuti, SAN, seeks a judicial ruling declaring his removal unlawful. He also demands $250 million in damages and various financial compensations in multiple currencies, including naira, U.S. dollars, and Norwegian kroner.

During a court appearance on Wednesday, Justice Elizabeth Orji scheduled the next hearing for February 24, 2026, to discuss Halliburton’s preliminary objection to the case.

At the session, Kuti informed the court of an outstanding request for an interlocutory injunction and the defendant's objection regarding jurisdiction.

Kuti argued that the objection is rooted in Halliburton's assertion that Togun was employed by a foreign entity and not its Nigerian subsidiary.

"The claimant was employed by the Nigerian entity for three years. The defendant is required to refute that," Kuti stated, urging the court to maintain the current situation and consider both motions together.

Justice Orji declined to issue any temporary orders, citing that the claimant had yet to respond to the preliminary objection.

Halliburton's legal representative, Mr. Michael Akinleye, contended that the lawsuit lacks merit, arguing that Halliburton Energy Services Inc. does not have a presence in Nigeria.

He pointed out that Togun did not secure permission to serve legal documents outside Nigeria, as mandated by the NICN Rules, and that notifying Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Limited did not equate to valid service on the foreign company.

Akinleye also claimed that Togun incorrectly launched the case using Form 1 instead of Form 3, which is necessary for cases outside the jurisdiction, and urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit for lack of jurisdiction.

In response, Kuti asserted that Nigerian law allows for legal actions against foreign companies and maintained that proper service had been executed.

In his account of events, Togun noted that he holds dual citizenship in Nigeria and Norway and has spent approximately 12 years in senior positions within the Halliburton organization in Norway. He was persuaded to move to Nigeria in September 2024 for the role of Group Business Development Manager.

He claims that despite being promised full expatriate benefits, Halliburton offered him a "semi-expatriate" package because of his Nigerian nationality, depriving him of essential entitlements such as housing, education assistance, hardship allowances, salary uplifts, and travel perks that other expatriates, including those in lower positions, received.

Togun stated that he spent over N100 million on renting and furnishing a lavish residence in Banana Island, Lagos, based on the company's assurances, and he is now seeking reimbursement for these expenses.

Despite the alleged discriminatory actions, he managed to achieve substantial results, including spearheading a $45 million project signed in February 2025 and forecasting over $30 million in profits for Halliburton Nigeria for 2025.

He highlighted that his achievements received praise from Halliburton’s global President and CEO, Mr. Jeffrey A. Miller, and he was nominated for a Long-Term Incentive Award.

Togun noted that complications arose in September 2025 due to a global restructuring that categorized his position as “potentially redundant,” even though his responsibilities were later assumed by a Vice-President.

"The ongoing existence of those functions indicates that this was not a legitimate redundancy but a deliberate dismissal," Togun argued.

He claimed that higher-paid expatriates with less productive roles were retained, while he alone faced termination.

Among his requests, Togun is pursuing the vesting of outstanding stock units valued at approximately $100,000, Norwegian retirement benefits estimated at kr1.5 million, a severance package equivalent to 36 months’ gross salary, a refund of N100 million for relocation costs, $250 million in damages, and N25 million to cover legal fees.

He has accused Halliburton of contravening ILO Conventions 100, 111, and 158, as well as Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, in addition to relevant labor regulations specific to the oil and gas sector.

In his interlocutory application, Togun seeks a court order to prevent Halliburton from finalizing his termination, restore his access to company systems, and ensure that the current state of affairs is upheld until the case is resolved.