The legal battle between Rivers and Imo over the ownership of 17 oil wells in Akri and Mgbede has been adjourned to January 17, 2022, for a hearing of the substantive matter.
Recall that the court had restrained the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Imo State Attorney General and Revenue Mobilisation Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) from taking any further actions in awarding oil revenues from Akri and Mgbede Oil wells in Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema Local government areas of Imo State after the Rivers State government filed a suit against the later before the Supreme Court.
Subsequently, the apex court gave an order of injunction to stop an alleged implementation of the ceding of the 17 oil wells to Imo state, pending the determination of the Suit brought before it by the Rivers state government.
On Monday, the court resumed hearing of Suit No. SC.1037/2020 filed by Attorney General of Rivers State (plaintiff) vs. Attorney General of the Federation and others (defendants).
At the court session, the Attorney General of the Federation and Attorney General of Imo State suffered a setback, as the Supreme Court tacitly did not take an intended motion to set aside the ex parte order.
Counsel to the AGF, Remi Olatubura, and Attorney General of Imo State, Olusola Oke, had wanted their motion challenging the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to hear the matter to be heard. Still, the counsel to Rivers State government countered led by Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, with a motion for direction to streamline all the other actions.
Speaking to journalists outside the court, counsel to Rivers State government, Sebastian Hon, SAN, said the matter was adjourned to January 17, when all interlocutory applications will be withdrawn and the substantive case heard.
According to him, “There is a boundary dispute with respect to some oil wells against Imo State. But we joined the Attorney General of the Federation, who is a necessary party, because of the regulatory bodies like the National Boundary Commission, the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Committee, etc that are federal agencies.
“Basically, it is a dispute that borders on some oil wells which Rivers State is claiming belongs to it. They (defendants) said the court ought to have taken their motion challenging jurisdiction first, but we said no, we have a motion for direction to streamline all the other motions.
“Then the court said instead of wasting time, let’s wait till January to hear the substantive matter. Everything will be taken on that day. They (defendants) actually wanted the court to quash the injunction, but tacitly the court refused to go into that.”
Meanwhile, Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike, who was present at the legal battle, refused to address journalists at the end of proceedings.
