From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Power outage at the Yenagoa Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday stalled a suit challenging the divestment of Shell from onshore assets.
When the suit came up for hearing, presiding judge, Justice Ayo Emmanuel announced to the parties who were present said that he cannot go into the hearing because the courtroom was too hot for him.
There was an improvised standing fan beside the judge as the alternative source of energy could not power the court’s air-conditioning systems.
The judge rebuffed appeals by counsel to the plaintiff Chuks Uguru to open the hearing against the backdrop that the case had remained pending for one year without commencement of hearing.
He subsequently adjourned the case until June 17 for hearing.
The case had at the last adjourned date in March 18 due to absence of legal representatives from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) had challenged the jurisdiction of the court in a suit challenging the divestment by Shell UK PLC from onshore and shallow water assets hitherto operated by SPDC.
The plaintiffs in the suit alleged that the divestment by Shell did not follow the stipulated guidelines in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Daily Asset reports that the suit filed by King Bubaraiye Dakolo, traditional ruler of Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa is also seeking redress and remediation of cumulative pollution of Dakolo’s domain for 40 years.
Environmental justice groups, Social Action and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and Social Action are collaborating in supporting the impacted Ekpetiama community to seek legal remedy.
Ekpetiama community is in the neighbourhood and part of host communities to the Gbarain-Ubie gas plant and Gbarain oilfields.
Listed as defendants in the suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/81/2025, are Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Shell Petroleum N.V, Shell UK PLC.
Others are Attorney General of the Federation, The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Minister of Petroleum Resources and Renaissance Energy Africa Ltd.
It will be recalled that Renaissance Energy Africa, a consortium of indigenous oil firms in March 2025 acquired the onshore and shallow waters oil and gas assets hitherto operated by SPDC, following the divestments by Shell UK PLC, the parent company to SPDC.
Reacting to the development, Uguru regretted several delays orchestrated by the defendants and noted that the legal team of the plaintiff remains resolute.
On his part, Dr. Prince Edegbuo
Resource Justice Manager at Social Action, regretted the development adding that it points to the death of social amenities and urged the government to tackle the challenge.
Dakolo noted that his subjects remained committed to getting justice in spite of the delays.
