The Yenagoa Division of the Federal High Court has adjourned a case challenging Shell UK PLC’s divestment from onshore and shallow water assets previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company until July 22.
The plaintiffs allege that Shell’s divestment contravenes the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The traditional ruler of Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, King Bubaraiye Dakolo, is seeking redress and remediation for what he claims is cumulative pollution spanning four decades in his domain.
Ekpetiama, which hosts key oil and gas infrastructure including the Gbarain-Ubie gas plant and Gbarain oilfields, has reportedly borne the brunt of environmental degradation resulting from prolonged oil operations.
During Friday’s proceedings, counsel for the plaintiff, Mr. Chuks Uhuru, filed an ex parte application seeking leave to serve court summons on Shell UK PLC, the parent company of SPDC, through substituted means. The trial judge, Justice Ayo Emmanuel, granted the application, allowing service on some defendants residing in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Justice Emmanuel then adjourned the matter to July 22 for the commencement of substantive hearing.
The suit, numbered FHC/YNG/CS/81/2025, lists several defendants including 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, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, and Renaissance Energy Africa Ltd.
It is worth noting that in March 2025, Renaissance Energy Africa, a consortium of indigenous oil companies, took over the onshore and shallow water oil and gas assets previously operated by SPDC following a divestment by its parent company, Shell UK PLC.
