A High Court in Rivers State has granted an order prohibiting the NNPC Exploration and Production Company Limited (NEPL), Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, WAGL Energy Limited, and Kristal Polis Limited from proceeding with the demolition at the Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate in Bonny, Rivers State.
The presiding judge in Suit No.BYHC/17/CS/2026: Justice Rita Ogugu issued the ex parte order on Friday after listening to the arguments presented by Chief Eugene Odey, the attorney for the claimants.
The claimants in this case consist of 45 residents of the Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate, who are filing the lawsuit on their own behalf as well as on behalf of their families and other community members, while the four companies are the defendants in this case.
The restraining order states: “It is also Ordered that an Interim Injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the Defendants/Respondents or their agent from taking further steps in the demolition of the Claimant’s landed property situate at the Shell pipeline Community in Bonny, Rivers State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
“It is further Ordered that an Interim Injunction be and issued restraining the Defendants or their agents from demolishing the Claimant’s landed properties situate at Shell Pipeline Community in Bonny, Rivers State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
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Justice Oguguo has postponed the case to Tuesday, February 24, 2026, for the motion on Notice. The presiding judge has also permitted the claimants to deliver the writ of summons and related documents to the defendants by alternative means.
She stated: “That leave be and is hereby granted to the Claimants/Applicants to endorse the writ of summons and other accompanying processes in this suit for service outside the jurisdiction of this court.
Leave is further granted to the Claimants/Applicants to serve the writ of summons and related documents in this case on the Defendants outside the jurisdiction of this case, specifically at NNPC E and P Limited, opposite Ogba 200, Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State, and WAGL Energy Limited, located at No. 45, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“It is further Ordered that leave be and is hereby granted the Claimants/ Applicants to serve the 2nd and 4th Respondents the processes of this suit by delivering the same to the Director or Secretary at their Headquarters via DHL or any other speed post.”
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, local residents staged a protest after discovering heavy machinery tearing down buildings. Officials from Kristal Polis Limited instructed them to leave their homes by Friday, February 13, 2026, as the demolition was scheduled to proceed.
