Interlocutory Appeal: Counsel to Nembe Kingdom berates Aiteo for resorting to technicalities to evade environmental justice

Counsel to the Opu Nembe Kingdom, Barrister Chigozie Inwere, has berated the use of technicalities like frivolous interlocutory appeals to delay the dispensation of justice while substantive cases remained pending.

Nembe communities report underwater pipeline leak at OML 29 oilfields in Bayelsa

The Nembe communities at Okpoama and Ikensi in Brass and Nembe Local Government Areas (LGAs) respectively have bemoaned recent oil leaks and subsequent pollution from Oil Mining Lease (OML 29) oilfields.

An APC stalwart in Patani Local Government Area of Delta, Dr Ebidiseighabofa Orodu, has dismissed claims of Nicholas Mutu’s endorsement for another term in the House of Representatives, saying it does not reflect the broader public mood in the constituency.

INC leadership crisis: Court blocks Igbadiwei inauguration, restrains CITRE

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction restraining the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the President of the Ijaw National Congress, and the Chairman of the Electoral Committee from inaugurating, swearing in, or presenting for inauguration any persons as officers of the INC.

Court grants plaintiff's motion for amendment in Aiteo’s N122b Opu Nembe oil spill suit

The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, on Thursday granted a motion seeking to amend the spelling of the defendant's name in an oil pollution case before the court.

Power outage stalls hearing on suit by Bayelsa traditional ruler challenging Shell’s divestment,pollution

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 heating, presiding judge, Justice Ayo Emmanuel announced to the parties who were present that he cannot go into the heating 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 heating.

He subsequently adjourned the case until June 17 for heating.

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.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 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 planting 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.

Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency crisis: Delta APC chieftain warns of mass defection to NDC

A Delta APC Chieftain, John Feh, has called for an urgent intervention of the Federal and State Government in the Bomadi/Patani federal constituency politics, warning of massive wave of defection of members to Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) if nothing is done.