Kayode Shopekan
The Federal Government of Nigeria has been restrained by an order from the Supreme Court not to cede the 17 disputed oil wells to Imo state.
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, issued an injunction to halt the Federal Government plan to cede the 17 oil wells located at Mbede and Akri to Imo State, until the court is able to resolve the suit brought before it by Rivers State.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe ruling delivered on the matter by the ruling chamber of the Supreme court on Wednesday was argued via an ex-parte application by Emmanuel Ukala (SAN)
Consequent upon arguments, the apex court restrained the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Attorney General of Imo state from taking any further action on the ownership of the disputed 17 oil wells till the ownership disputes surrounding them are resolved.
The Apex court barred the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and the Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the office of the Accountant General of the Federation from approving, or giving priority to any letter from RMAFC office, with reference number RMC/O&G/47/1/264 of July 1, 2021, which canceled the equal sharing of proceeds from the 17 oil wells by Rivers and Imo states.
Among its prayers are the declaration that the boundary between Rivers state and Imo state, as delineated on Nigeria administrative map 10, 11 and 12 editions and other maps bearing similar delineations are inaccurate, incorrect and do not represent the legitimate and lawful boundaries between Rivers and Imo State.
Further hearing of the substantive matter has been fixed for September 21, 2021.
