Oil Community Threatens Showdown with Shell Over Judgement Debt
Oloma community in Bonny, Rivers State has threatened a showdown with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) over the multinational’s failure to comply with a court judgement given seven years ago.
An Ahoada High Court presided over by Justice George Omereji had on March 10, 2011, ordered SPDC to pay N8 million as damages for breach of contract with the leadership of the community.
The court had also granted an order compelling SPDC to comply fully withor execute fully the seven clauses or components of its agreement with
the claimants entered into on 17th of February 2005, especially the payment of N13.1 million as in clause 7 of exhibit “A”.
Justice Omereji had further granted a perpetual order restraining Messrs A.G. Hart and L.A. Sokari, second and third defendants in the suit, from parading themselves as representatives of the community.
The court upheld the prayers of the applicants, Elders. James Hart; Tamunosa Allison; T. Hart; Samuel Allison; Goodnews Banigo and Patrick Hart that by the custom and tradition of Oloma community, Bonny were in charge of the day to day running of the community.
But seven years after the judgement, SPDC was yet to act and the community has threatened to challenge the oil company.
The community therefore called on the oil company to comply with the court order by Justice George Omereji against it, the second and third defendant delivered on March 10,2011.
Making the appeal in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of one of the leading oil giants, a copy of which was obtained in Warri, Delta State, Solicitors to the 1st to 6th claimants ( for themselves and representing Oloma Elders council and Oloma community) Mr. J Chinwe said the alleged failure of the company to comply with the Rivers state High court judgment, Ahoada judicial division could attract a court contempt suit against it.
“Our client persisted in the spirit of justice and equity and gladly on the 10th day of March 2011, the Honourable court as per O. Omerjeji J. entered judgment in our client’s favour.
“It is important to point out that among the highpoints of the judgment against SPDC as 1st Defendant was the nullification of the agreement SPDC entered into with the parties sued as 2nd and 3rd Defendants in the suit and also the perpetual injunction which restrained the 2nd and 3rd Defendants from dealing with SPDC in any capacity on behalf of our clients community.”
The Solicitors further alleged that the oil giant did not appeal against the judgment and had allegedly failed to comply with it.
“It is therefore most distasteful and reprehensible that despite the orders of the court against SPDC and the 2nd and 3rd Defendants in the suit, SPDC have neglected, refused and resisted all attempts at implementing the judgment of the High Court of Rivers State.”