Oil Community Warns Shell Against Disobeying Court Order

SHELL Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited has been advised to obey the court order restraining it from selling its property in Nigeria pending the determination of the suit filed by Prince Afolabiakinruntan and 1,215 others against the oil producing company.

A letter by Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN of Ndarani, SAN& Co frowned at the recent publication of the oil company on its website, Janu ary 19, 2024 and other media platforms of its decision to “sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, SPDC, Shell Global” as contemptuous and flagrant disobedience of the court order, warning the public to be careful in falling into the illegal act.

Justice T. B. Adegoke of the Federal High Court, Akure had on September 9, 2023 while ruling on the ex- parte application filed by the plaintiffs, restrained the oil company from selling any of its properties pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The court also ruled that the ex- parte order would last pending the determination of the suit and it shall be given accelerated hearing.

The legal luminary also addressed the letter Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited, Shell International Company Limited, Shell International Exploration and Production Limited, Hon Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPC), all prospective buyers and general public.

In the letter, it noted: “Information in this report indicates that Shell has reached an agreement to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary; Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited ( SPDC), to Renaissance, a consortium of five companies comprising four exploration and production companies based in Nigeria and an international energy group known as ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E& P, Waltersmith and Petrolin. The completion of the transaction is subject to approvals by the Federal Government of Nigeria upon satisfying other laid down conditions.”