Warri: Court Stops Chevron from paying compensation on expired consent judgment, in favour of suit instituted by Benikrukru Community

The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has delivered a landmark judgment in a suit filed by the Benikrukru Community in Warri South-west local government area and others against Chevron Nigeria Limited and other Itsekiri’s defendants.

In the suit number: FHC/WR/CS/49/2024, Pa. Kwekwewei Onimiyenmene, Pastor Paul Willie, Elder David Kiriodougha, Captain John Abase, Elder Dogood Ogoloru, Madam Goldcoast Jimmy, were listed as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th plaintiffs respectively (for themselves and on behalf of the entire members of the Benikrukru community, Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta state) while Chevron Nigeria Limited is listed as 1st, David Mode Akoma, 2nd, Doris Odemi 3rd, Pa. Samson Amaola 4th, Steve Edema 5th, Henry Temisan 6th, defendants respectively (the 2nd-6th defendants are sued for themselves and as representatives of the Ode-Itsekri/Deghele communities of Delta state).

Also, in the suit, Dr. Peter Etchie, Friday Etuwewe, Esimaje Henry, Olori-ebi Lugard Etchie, Isaac Etchie and Sunny Etchie are listed as the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th, defendants respectively (the 7th – 12th defendants are sued for themselves and as representatives of the Omateye family of Bateren community of Delta state).

The plaintiffs had sought a declaration that the Consent Judgment dated 12th March, 1982, which governed the payment of compensation to the communities for the use of their land, had expired.

They also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining Chevron from continuing to assess, determine, and/or pay compensations to the plaintiffs based on the expired Consent Judgment.

In an originating summons dated the 20th day of May, 2024. the Plaintiffs are seeking the determination of the following questions:

1. Whether the Consent Judgment dated 12th March, 1982, entered in Suit No: W/146/1972: John Akunujuya Ogio-Okirika & 3 Ors. vs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited & 5 Ors., Suit No: W/89/1973: Chief Pius O. Awani & 4 Ors. vs. Messrs, Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited and Suit No: W/130/1972: Chief Jemigbeyi Fregene & 2 Ors. vs. Chief Pius O. Awani & 3 Ors., has lapsed and become inoperative by reason of the Terms stated therein and the completion of the purpose for which same was entered.

2. Whether, having regard to the clear Terms contained in the Consent Judgment dated 12th March, 1982, entered in Suit No: W/146/1972: John Akunujuya Ogio-Okirika & 3 Ors. vs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited & 5 Ors., Suit No: W/89/1973: Chief Pius O. Awani & 4 Ors. vs. Messrs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited and Suit No: W/130/1972: Chief Jemigbeyi Fregene & 2 Ors. vs. Chief Pius O. Awani & 3 Ors., the 1st Defendant is justified in law to continue to assess, determine and/or pay compensations which continue to accrue to the Plaintiffs under Sections 95-99 of the Minerals and Mining Act Cap. M12, LFN 2004 and Sections 11(5) and 20(2) of the Oil Pipelines Act, Cap. 07, LFN 2004 (and/or any other relevant law providing for payment of compensations) for the occupation and/or use of the lands which are the subject matters of the above suits, or allocate benefits provided under Sections 234-257 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (and/or any other relevant Judgment.

3. Whether, having regard to the war that the compensation paid by the 1 Defendant in Suit No: W/146/1972: John Akunujuya Ogio-Okirika & 3 Ors. vs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited & 5 Ors., Suit No: W/89/1973: Chief Pius O. Awani & 4 Ors. vs. Messrs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited and Suit No: W/130/1972: Chief Jemigbeyi Fregene & 2 Ors. vs. Chief Pius O. Awani & 3 Ors. was to compensate the Plaintiffs in those suits for its occupation, damage to and destruction of their lands known as Keghan-Gbene, Ogbagbene and Benikrukru Bush (Suit No: W/146/1972), the lands near Abeteye and Abe Olague (Suit No: W/89/1973) and the land known as Abiteye (Suit No: W/130/1972), the application of the Consent Judgment dated 12th March, 1982, entered in the said suits, is limited to those lands alone.

After the determination of the questions posed and answered in the affirmative, they seek the following reliefs:

1. A DECLARATION THAT the Consent Judgment dated 12th March, 1982, entered in Suit No: W/146/1972: John Akunujuya Ogio-Okirika & 3 Ors. vs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited & 5 Ors., Suit No: W/89/1973: Chief Pius O. Awani & Ors. vs. Messrs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited and Suit o: W/130/1972: Chief Jemigbeyi Fregene & 2 Ors. vs. Chief Pius O. Awani & 3 Ors, has lapsed and become inoperative by reason of the performance of the Terms stated therein and the completion of the purpose for which same was agreed to and entered as Consent Judgment.

2. A DECLARATION THAT the Consent Judgment dated 12th March, 1982, entered in Suit No: W/146/1972: John Akunujuya Ogio-Okirika & 3 Ors. vs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited & 5 Ors., Suit No: W/89/1973: Chief Pius O. Awani & 4 Ors, vs. Messrs, Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited and Suit No: W/130/1972: Chief Jemigbeyi Fregene & 2 Ors, vs. Chief Pius O. Awani & 3 Ors., having lapsed and become inoperative, the 1 Defendant is no longer justified in law to continue to assess, determine and/or pay compensations which continue to accrue (to the Plaintiffs) under Sections 95-99 of the Minerals and Mining Act Cap. M12, LFN 2004 and Sections 11(5) and 20(2) of the Oil Pipelines Act, Cap. 07, LFN 2004 (and/or any other relevant law providing for payment of compensations) for the occupation and/or use of the Plaintiffs lands, or allocate benefits provided under Sections 234-257 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (and/or any other relevant law in that regard), to the parties in this suit on the basis of the aforesaid Consent Judgment.

A DECLARATION THAT, since the compensation paid by the 1st Defendant in Suit No: W/146/1972: John Akunujuya Ogio-Okirika & 3 Ors. vs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited & 5 Ors., Suit No: W/89/1973: Chief Pius O. Awani & 4 Ors. vs. Messrs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited and Suit No: W/130/1972: Chief Jemigbeyi Fregene & 2 Ors. vs. Chief Pius O. Awani & 3 Ors. was to compensate the Plaintiffs in those suits for its occupation, damage to and destruction of their lands known as Keghan-Gbene, Ogbagbene and Benikrukru Bush (Suit No: W/146/1972), the lands near Abeteye and Abe Olague (Suit No: W/89/1973) and the land known as Abiteye (Suit No: W/130/1972), the application of the Consent Judgment dated 12th March, 1982, entered in the said suits, is limited to those lands alone.

4. AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the 1st Defendant, whether by itself, staff, agents and/or representatives, howsoever described, from continuing to assess, determine and/or pay compensations to the Plaintiffs for the occupation and/or use of the lands which are the subject matters of Suit No: W/146/1972: John Akunujuya Ogio-Okirika & 3 Ors. vs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited & 5 Ors., Suit No: W/89/1973: Chief Pius O. Awani & 4 Ors. vs. Messrs. Gulf Oil Company (Nig.) Limited and Suit No: W/130/1972: Chief Jemigbeyi Fregene & 2 Ors. vs. Chief Pius O. Awani & 3 Ors., or allocate benefits to the Plaintiffs, on the basis of the Consent Judgment dated 12th March, 1982, entered in the said suits.

After listening to argument, counter-arguments, affidavits and counter-affidavits by the plaintiffs’ counsel, Larry Malemi Esq., K.K. Iheme Esq,, (counsel to 2nd- 6th defendants) and counsel to 1st defendant, A.E Oghounu Esq., who urged the court to dismissed the suit in its entirety, the court declared that the Consent Judgment dated March 12, 1982, has lapsed and become inoperative.

In his judgment, Hon. Justice H. A. Nganjiwa held that the Consent Judgment had indeed lapsed and become inoperative

Justice Nganjiwa, also granted the plaintiffs’ request for a perpetual injunction restraining Chevron from continuing to pay compensations based on the expired Consent Judgment

Political Crisis in Rivers: Rivers APC tells Fubara to Resign or be impeached

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has been urged to resign within 48 hours or face impeachment.

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gave the order in Port Harcourt on Monday, warning that if the governor refuses to resign, he will be impeached. The party cited several impeachable offenses against him as outlined by the Supreme Court judgment, including running a government with only 12.5 percent of State Assembly members, issues regarding budget presentation, and local government elections.

The state chairman of APC, Tony Okocha, also described the governor’s invitation to the State House of Assembly via a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government as ‘absurd’ and ’embarrassing.’

According to Okocha, the current political situation in the state does not warrant a meeting of ‘connivance,’ as outlined in the governor’s letter to the lawmakers, but strictly business.

He said it is unnecessary to ask the assembly members to come and discuss their sitting venue in the meeting, questioning whether the lawmakers have not been sitting all this while. He added that the budget is not an issue for discussion but an action to be implemented.

The APC chairman stated that the governor is already sitting on a ‘keg of gunpowder,’ asserting that they had warned him, but he rebuffed their advice, claiming he has the ‘red biro.’ “Where is the ‘red biro’ now?” Okocha stated.

Meanwhile, the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly resumed sitting this morning, and The Guardian has learned that some of the key issues on the agenda include declining the governor’s invitation, budget presentation, and questioning members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), among others.

With the current developments, the political crisis rocking Rivers State is far from ending anytime soon.

Fuel pump price increase looms as NNPC stops Naira-for-Crude Deal, Compelling Dangote, Others to Pay in Dollars

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has suspended the naira-for-crude oil swap arrangement, forcing local refiners, including Dangote Refinery, to pay for crude oil in dollars instead of naira.

The naira-for-crude deal, introduced on October 1, 2024, was designed to boost domestic refining, reduce reliance on imports, and ease forex pressures. Its abrupt suspension raises concerns about higher operational costs for Nigerian refiners, potential fuel price hikes, and increased pressure on the naira.

NNPC cited existing forward contracts as the reason for the halt, despite Nigeria’s rising crude output. Analysts warn the move could delay the Dangote Refinery’s full operations and undermine efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum production as well as lead to increase in petroleum pump price.

Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh dispute: Governor Oborevwori’s intervention highly commendable- Chief Ugedi

By: Celestine Ukah

Editor

A Niger Delta community leader and former Special Assistant to the Delta State Government, Chief David Seikiri Ugedi, has commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his determined intervention in bringing peace to Aladja in Udu LGA and Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South-West LGA over their age-old dispute.

Chief Ugedi, a pioneer student of Aladja Grammar School in Udu LGA, said that before the recent crisis that has rocked Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh, both communities had lived in peace for ages, describing the dispute as a political divide, as they have coexisted side by side for centuries. He noted that they also participated in each other’s festivals as brothers and sisters, even as neighbors, until the misunderstanding that affected their relationship.

He described Governor Oborevwori’s move as a serious determination, full of the wisdom of God, to attract peace to the two important communities in Delta State and Nigeria at large, appealing to the two communities to accept and embrace peace to live as one again, as they used to coexist in time immemorial.

Chief Ugedi, a chieftain of the PDP from Opuama in Egbema Kingdom in Warri North LGA, lauded Rt. Hon. Oborevwori for ordering the construction of a road from Aladja to Ogbe-Ijoh in order to hasten the free flow of movement and goods and services into both areas.

**As he congratulate Mrs. Oborevwori, Olori Atuwatse, and other women

By: Celestine Ukah 

The Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Community Development, Amb. Dr. Toyin Agbolayah JP, says women are pillars of community development, driving positive change across the state.

Dr. Agbolayah stated this Saturday, March 8, in commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day, where he urged women to emulate those inspiring and do the same to continue adding value to society.

He congratulated the wife of the Delta State Governor, Her Excellency, Deaconess Mrs. Tobore Oborevwori, for her support to women through her pet project extending care to less privileged people and other human capital empowerment support to the people.

Dr. Agbolayah appreciated the wife of the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III, for her sustained empowerment and innovations in women’s support across Warri Kingdom, uniquely making a difference in the area, both within and outside the region, to strengthen the women’s gender agenda.

He emphasized that the contributions of women like her Her Excellency, Mrs. Oborevwori, Olori Atuwatse III who have taken significant strides in leadership and community service, serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for younger generations.

The Governor’s aide noted “These remarkable women are not just role models; they are catalysts for change, challenging societal norms and breaking barriers to create better opportunities for all,”

Dr. Agbolayah called for continued collaboration among women in various sectors, urging them to forge alliances that would bolster their collective efforts in advocating for women’s rights and development, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to supporting women in all aspects of their lives, through education, entrepreneurship, health initiatives pointing out that Investing in women is investing in the future.

International Women Day 2025: Female CEOs, CSO Leaders Highlight Barriers to Women’s Growth

Top Female CEOs and CSO leaders have highlighted challenges impeding women’s growth on International Women Day, IWD 2025, calls for accelerated action on gender equality.

International Women’s Day 2025, celebrated globally on March 8, adopted the campaign theme ‘Accelerate Action’, highlighting the pressing need to expedite progress towards gender equality.

The theme serves as a rallying cry, urging individuals, organisations, and governments to intensify their efforts in promoting women’s empowerment and bridging the gender gap.

The urgency of this issue is underscored by the World Economic Forum’s projection that, at the current rate of progress, achieving full gender parity may take until 2158.

This staggering statistic translates to approximately five generations from now, emphasising the need for swift and collective action to address the systemic inequalities and barriers that hinder women’s advancement.

Speaking on some of these challenges and how they could be mitigated, the Head of Brands and Marketing Communications, Wema Bank, Mabel Adeteye, said, “So this year’s women’s day celebration is different.

from it and have these awareness.

“We don’t have to wait for too long before you speak up. Speak up and get help.

“Also, financial empowerment is an important aspect when you look at gender based violence. It’s important for women to have access to knowledge, finance and information that they need to upscale their lives.”

Also speaking, Lawyer and Founder of my Ability in Disability Foundation, Emonena Akwara, noted that “More women are now aware of some of our plights. I myself am promoting awareness amongst women.

“As a stroke survivor, I have imputed the strength of a woman in stroke survivors that are women. I keep telling them it’s not the end of their lives.

“I have cases of stroke survivors being abused. I have not experienced resistance in leadership as a woman because when I lead, I try to be your friend first.

“Thus, resistance doesn’t come to play. In fact, I have a lot of men in my community and volunteer list and they are nice.”

In the same vein, Commercial Manager, Travelstart, Bukky Akomolafe, noted that women fall back in work place is due to life choices they have to make which means they have to sacrifice some aspects of their career.

“The decision to marry and bear kids comes with sacrifices, that warrants many women to make several life choices.”

Founder, Splice, and Former VP/Group Head, Product Strategy, Piggyvest, Layo Ogunbanwo, noted that, “there are already biases that comes with you being a woman especially if you are assertive and self aware.

“The burden for inclusivity is on everyone and companies should make concentrated efforts to ensure they are promoting women just as they do men.”

Assistant VP, Branding and Story Telling, Flutterwave, Yewande Akomolafe-Kalu, also noted that, “women have been excluded from financial services so companies can focus on.

“Women are facing realness in the domestic space that limits their available time so there is need for specifically tailored solutions for women.”

She added barriers for entry that come in requirements to have access to finance.

“When more women have access to finance the economy grows and it benefits everyone.

“General business education is needed for women. This can help them differentiate their business fund from private funds, and could help their accounts in cases where they seek business funds.”

Dr. Bebenimibo emphasizes critical role of ICT in today’s world

**As Tompolo Foundation Partners with TANTITA Security to Equip Youths with ICT knowledge

The Executive Secretary of the Tompolo Foundation, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo has emphasized the critical role of ICT in today’s world. adding that “The idea behind this program is to empower young people and bridge the gap in digital literacy. After graduation, one needs ICT skills to remain relevant in the workforce. By equipping participants with modern tools, we are ensuring they can compete effectively in the digital space,” he noted.

Dr. Bebenimibo stressed that In a bid to bridge the digital literacy gap and equip young people with essential technological skills, the Tompolo Foundation and TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited, in conjunction with PEB ICT Services, officially launched a six-month ICT empowerment program with an orientation ceremony Friday, March 7, 2025, at the MBB Event Center, Refinery Road, Effurun, Delta State with over 100 beneficiaries from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Also present was Moses Major, Administrative Manager of PEB ICT Services, who outlined the structure of the training, saying it will last for the next six months, that participants will undergo courses in computer Basics, Graphic Design, Cybersecurity, Web Development, and data analysis.

He emphasized that each trainee will specialize in two select-courses, with profiling set to begin on Monday, March 10, at the PEB ICT office at Jakpa Road. In addition to hands-on training, participants will receive monthly stipends, and outstanding trainees will be awarded laptops upon completion of the program.

The beneficiaries are drawn from the Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Isoko, and Ndokwa ethnic groups, expressed excitement about the initiative. In a Q&A session, Moses Major highlighted key challenges encountered while setting up the training center, particularly power supply. “One of our major concerns was electricity, so we installed a solar power system to ensure uninterrupted learning. We also had to acquire additional laptops to accommodate the larger number of trainees,” he explained.

For many participants, this program represents a life-changing opportunity. Mr. Charles, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude, saying, “This is what we have been looking for—a chance to learn. In the university, we didn’t have the time or resources to study ICT. Now, with this opportunity, we can apply computer knowledge to grow our businesses and contribute to the Niger Delta’s development.”

The orientation seminar concluded with group photographs, marking the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey for the participants.