A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned to October 9, 2025, for the adoption of final written addresses and hearing of pending motions in the case between the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), its Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, and Mr. Mao Nangi Obu.
The suit, filed under number PHC/1057/Cs/2021, stems from allegations of libelous social media publications made in March 2021, in which the defendant accused the claimants of plagiarism and theft of the Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI) concept.
At Thursday’s proceedings before Justice Gbasam J., counsels Chioma Choko and I. Chukwuka represented the claimants, while H.P. Roberts appeared for the defendant. The claimants were present in court, but the defendant was absent.
The claimants’ counsel informed the court that, having filed their final written address first due to the defendants’ delay, they had served the same on the opposing side. The defence counsel confirmed receipt and noted that they had also filed their own address alongside a motion for extension of time.
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The claimants further reminded the court of an earlier motion seeking to recall their first witness (CW1) to adopt an audio recording pleaded in his statement on oath. The defence counsel acknowledged service of the motion and disclosed that they had filed a counter-affidavit in opposition.
Justice Gbasam directed both parties to exchange all processes and ruled that all pending applications would be taken alongside the adoption of final addresses on the adjourned date.
YEAC’s Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, had approached the court over what he described as malicious and defamatory publications by Obu, who had alleged that his PACORDI concept was plagiarised.
Fyneface, however, maintains that he is the originator of the initiative, which he said was developed in July 2020, three months before the defendant allegedly made public claims of ownership.
The matter is slated for continuation on October 9, 2025.
