The Federal High Court located in Yenagoa has decided to adjourn the proceedings on a case concerning Shell UK’s divestment from its onshore properties until May 6. This pause was prompted by the absence of legal representatives from the Attorney-General of the Federation’s office.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has raised questions about the court's authority in this matter, which contests the divestment that Shell UK Plc is making from onshore and shallow water assets managed by SPDC.
The lawsuit claims that Shell’s divestment did not comply with the prescribed regulations outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.
King Bubaraiye Dakolo, the traditional leader of Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, initiated this suit, seeking justice for 40 years of accumulated environmental pollution affecting his community.
Environmental advocacy organizations, including Social Action and the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), are collaborating to assist the Ekpetiama community in their pursuit of legal redress.
The Ekpetiama community is situated near the Gbarain-Ubie gas plant and Gbarain oilfields, which have historical ties to Shell’s operations.
During the court session, Mr. J.P. Kudo, representing Shell UK Plc, notified the court that the Attorney-General’s counsel had submitted a request for adjournment, citing commitments at the Court of Appeal.
In contrast, counsel for the plaintiff, Dakolo, Mr. Chuks Uguru, strongly opposed this request, arguing for the court to proceed with hearings on Shell’s preliminary objection.
Uguru emphasized that the legal system should no longer permit tactics that delay justice for vulnerable communities.
Justice Ayo Emmanuel expressed a willingness to accommodate the adjournment, leading to the agreement to reconvene on May 6 to examine the preliminary objection motion.
The defendants listed in case No. FHC/YNG/CS/81/2025 include Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Shell Petroleum N.V, Shell UK PLC, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Minister of Petroleum Resources, and Renaissance Energy Africa Ltd.
It is significant to note that in March 2025, Renaissance Energy Africa acquired the onshore and shallow water oil and gas assets previously operated by SPDC following Shell UK Plc’s divestment.
After the adjournment, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, Resource Justice Manager at Social Action, criticized the delay tactics being utilized by the government’s legal representatives. He expressed disappointment that the Attorney General’s office could not provide a lawyer to attend, deeming it both unfortunate and disheartening.
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