By Yenagoa’s Emem Idio
The lawsuit filed by the King of Ekpetiama Kingdom in Bayelsa State, HRM Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, challenging Shell UK PLC’s divestment from onshore and shallow water assets previously operated by SPDC, has been postponed until March 18 by Justice Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Justice Emmanuel claims that the preliminary objection motion will be heard on the postponed date.
Mr. Michael Amadi, the defendants’ attorney, informed the court during the resumed hearing on Thursday that the respondents had submitted a notice of preliminary objection contesting the court’s authority to hear the case.
Additionally, Mr. Chuks Uguru, the plaintiff Dakolo’s attorney, requested permission from the court to alter previously filed papers in order to fix typographical problems and provide the parties with updated copies.
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The lawsuit’s plaintiffs claimed that Shell’s divestment did not adhere to the rules outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
King Bubaraiye Dakolo, the traditional ruler of Ekpetiama in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, filed a lawsuit seeking compensation and cleanup for the 40 years of cumulative pollution on Dakolo’s territory.
First defendant Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), second defendant Shell Petroleum N.V., third defendant Shell PLC, fourth defendant Attorney General of the Federation, fifth defendant Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), sixth defendant Minister of Petroleum Resources, and seventh defendant Renaissance African Energy Limited are listed as defendants in a lawsuit filed on May 26th, 2025.
