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Boundary Dispute: Supreme Court Stops Ceding Of 17 Oil Wells To Imo State

The Supreme Court has prevented the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies from surrendering 17 disputed oil wells located at Akri and Mbede communities to Imo State.

The decision follows an appeal by the Rivers State government that is contesting the ownership of the two communities where the oil wells are located.

The Rivers State Government, in litigation against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Attorney-General of Imo State, sought for a declaration that the boundary between Rivers and Imo states, as delineated on the Nigeria administrative map and other maps bearing similar delineations are inaccurate and do not represent the legitimate and lawful boundaries between the two states.

The Rivers State government also prayed the court for an order of injunction restraining the federal government from surrendering the oil wells to Imo State, pending the hearing of the substantive suit, a request that has now been granted.

The Supreme Court restrained the AGF and the Attorney-General of Imo State from taking any further action on the ownership of the disputed 17 oil wells till the disputes surrounding them are resolved.

The court also barred the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and the Fiscal Commission, (RMAFC), and the office of the AGF from “”approving, implementing, or giving effect in any manner to a letter from the RMAFC office, with reference number RMC/O&G/47/1/264 of July 1, 2021, which cancelled the equal sharing of proceeds from the 17 oil wells by Rivers and Imo states.”

Meanwhile the court has fixed September 21, 2021, for hearing of the substantive matter.

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