Justice Pheobe Msuen Ayua of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has struck out a suit filed by representatives of the Okruru Ama community against Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited over alleged oil spill damages.
The suit, marked FHC/PH/CS/111/2023, was filed by Ugwueze Oduegbu, the community’s lawyer, on June 7, 2023.
The plaintiffs claimed that an oil spill from Mobil’s facility in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, devastated their community and means of livelihood. They sought compensation of N8.4 billion and $11.1 million from the oil company.
However, Mobil’s counsel, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), argued that the claims were speculative and lacked any reasonable cause of action. He noted that the plaintiffs failed to provide specifics such as the date, time, and circumstances of the alleged spill.
In her ruling, Justice Ayua upheld Mobil’s argument, agreeing that the suit was speculative and lacked merit due to the plaintiffs’ failure to substantiate their claims. Consequently, the court struck out the case.
Source: The Guardian
