Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an interim order restraining Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, RAEC, NNPC Exploration and Production Company Limited, NEPL, WAGL Energy Limited and Kristal Polis Limited from continuing demolitions at the Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate in Bonny.
Justice Rita Oguguo granted the ex parte order in Suit No. BYHC/17/CS/2026, following submissions by counsel to the claimants, Chief Eugene Odey.
The claimants, 45 residents of Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate, suing on behalf of themselves, their families and other affected residents, had approached the court after heavy-duty equipment allegedly began pulling down structures within the Shell Pipeline Community area earlier in the week.
In her ruling, Justice Oguguo ordered: “An Interim Injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the Defendants/Respondents or their agent from taking further steps in the demolition of the Claimants’ landed property situate at the Shell Pipeline Community in Bonny, Rivers State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
The court further held: “An Interim Injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the Defendants or their agents from demolishing the Claimants’ landed properties situate at Shell Pipeline Community in Bonny, Rivers State pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
The matter was adjourned to February 24, 2026, for hearing of the Motion on Notice.
“That this case be and is hereby adjourned to the 24th day of February, 2026 for Motion on Notice,” the judge ordered.
Justice Oguguo also granted leave for substituted service of court processes outside the jurisdiction. The order permits service on NEPL at its office opposite Ogba 200, Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State, and on WAGL Energy Limited at No. 45, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The court further directed that the 2nd and 4th respondents may be served by delivering court processes to their Director or Secretary at their headquarters via DHL or any other speed post.
The legal intervention followed protests by residents last Tuesday, when residents reportedly woke up to bulldozers demolishing structures, with officials of Kristal Polis Limited allegedly issuing eviction notices directing occupants to vacate on or before February 13.
A survey plan registered as Plan No. ESP/3585 with the former Bonny/Degema Province, shows the disputed pipeline route entering Bonny from the rear of Orupiri Community, crossing Admiralty Creek into Ogbokoro Ayambo, proceeding to Ayambo Main Community and terminating at Ntamoku Ayambo, the epicentre of the demolition exercise.
Residents claim the halted demolition exercise had already displaced thousands, including an estimated 5,000 children, 3,000 women, 1,000 elderly persons, and several persons living with disabilities and unemployed youths.
The case now shifts to the substantive hearing later this month, as affected communities await further judicial pronouncement on the disputed pipeline corridor and property rights.
