The Yenagoa Division of the Federal High Court on Friday adjourned a suit challenging the divestment by Shell UK PLC from onshore and shallow water assets hitherto operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to July 22.
The plaintiff alleged that the divestment by Shell did not follow the stipulated guidelines in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The suit filed by King Bubaraye Dakolo, traditional ruler of Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa is also seeking redress and remediation of cumulative pollution of his domain for 40 years.
Ekpetiama community is in the neighbourhood and part of host communities to the Gbarain-Ubie gas plant and Gbarain oilfields.
When the case came up for mention, counsel to the plaintiff, Dakolo, Mr Chuks Uhuru made an exparte application to grant the plaintiff leave to serve the court summons on Shell UK PLC, the parent company to SPDC through substituted means.
The trial judge, Justice Ayo Emmanuel granted the application to serve the defendants domiciled in United Kingdom and Netherlands through substituted means.
Justice Emmanuel adjourned the case to July 22 for commencement of hearing.
Listed as defendants in the suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/81/2025, are Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Shell Petroleum N.V, Shell UK PLC.
Others are Attorney General of the Federation, The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Minister of Petroleum Resources and Renaissance Energy Africa Ltd.
It will be recalled that Renaissance Energy Africa, a consortium of indigenous oil firms on March 2025 acquired the onshore and shallow waters oil and gas assets hitherto operated by SPDC, following the divestments by Shell UK PLC, the parent company to SPDC.
