Marginal oilfields licencing: Absence for defence stalls suit by Ijaw leaders

Nathan Tamarapreye

The Federal High Court, Yenagoa has adjourned a suit by Ijaw leaders seeking to halt the process leading to licensing for marginal oilfields located in their domains pending the determination of their suit.

The suit marked No, PHC/YEN/CS/81/2020 was filed by Chief Brown Agu (Opu Agu VIII), Mrs Rosemary John-Oduone, President Ijaw Women Connect, and Mr Femowei Friend.

The suit by the three plaintiffs, on behalf of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, is seeking the court to restrain the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources who are the defendants.

The presiding judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro, adjourned the case to April 20 for continuation of hearing following absence of the defence legal team.

It would be recalled that defence counsel Idris Imam had at the last adjourned date February 20 appealed for time to respond to a counter motion filed by the plaintiff.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Enie Otrofaniowei, had urged the court to strike out the motion filed by the defendants, but the judge ruled that she would adjourn to give the defendants a second chance.

Awogboro and awarded a cost of N20,000 against the defendants.