Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, alongside the Attorney‑General of the Federation (AGF) and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to maintain the existing status quo regarding four disputed oil fields pending further hearing and determination of a lawsuit before the court. The ruling was delivered on Monday, 5 January 2026, as part of ongoing litigation over ownership, allocation, and potential sales of strategic petroleum assets.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order after plaintiffs Hi‑Rev Oil Limited and Hi‑Rev Exploration and Production Ltd, through their counsel Ambrose Unaeze, urged the court to prevent any action by the respondents that might affect the subject matter of the suit while the dispute is before the judiciary. The plaintiffs are seeking an interim injunction to restrain the government officials from selling, transferring, assigning or otherwise altering the status of specific oil fields until the legal issues are resolved.
The case — registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/2678/2025 — centres on four oil fields spanning the Niger Delta region, including Yorla South (PPL 2A32 – OML 11) in Rivers State, Akiapiri (PPL 2A48 – OML 25) and Diebu Creek East (OML 32) in Bayelsa State, and Idiok (PPL 2A41 – OML 67) in Akwa Ibom State. The plaintiffs allege these blocks were offered to them under a settlement agreement intended to replace the Utapate Oil Field and OPL 2002, which were previously withdrawn by the federal government. They claim to have made significant investments and taken concrete steps toward developing these assets under the terms of the consent judgment.
During proceedings, the plaintiffs’ counsel expressed concern that any actions by the minister, AGF or NUPRC that alter the status of the oil fields before the court resolves the substantive issues would undermine the companies’ legal rights and investments. While the defence teams for the respondents filed a counter‑affidavit and preliminary objections, they did not provide the undertaking sought by the plaintiffs. In response to the court’s inquiry about the defence’s position, one of the respondents’ lawyers stated that parties were expected to “maintain status quo” because the matter was already before the court — a submission that the judge adopted in his ruling.
Justice Nwite’s order specifically restrains the minister and other defendants from undertaking any transactions or implementing decisions that could alter the administrative, legal or commercial status of the contested oil assets until 26 January 2026, when the next hearing is scheduled. The directive is intended to preserve the integrity of the court process and prevent irreversible actions that might prejudice the parties.
Legal observers say the status quo order reflects a common judicial measure in commercial disputes involving high‑value natural resources, giving the court time to consider substantive arguments without the risk of the subject matter being dissipated or reallocated. In this case, the oil fields at the centre of the dispute represent significant potential revenue and strategic importance in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
The plaintiffs argue that their rights stem from a previously agreed settlement and subsequent consent judgment, and that the government’s actions — including inviting third‑party bids or reallocating interests — could violate established agreements. Meanwhile, the respondents maintain that they are acting within their statutory powers and have challenged the plaintiffs’ claims.
As the legal process unfolds, both parties will present additional arguments, evidence and legal submissions in advance of continued hearings later this month. The Federal High Court’s ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in adjudicating complex disputes over Nigeria’s natural resource governance, particularly where public policy, commercial interests and contractual obligations intersect.
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