River State Acquires 45 Percent in OML 11 after a Protracted Legal Battle

Rivers State Government has fully acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) 45 percent interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 situated in Ejama Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area and the adjoining Ogoni and other communities of the State.

Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike stated this in a broadcast to the State today.

“I am delighted to inform you that the Rivers State Government has fully acquired Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) 45 percent interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 situated in Ejama-Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area and the adjoining Ogoni and other communities of Rivers State,” Wike said.

The governor explained that the acquisition of OML 11, is premised on Court Judgements, which have been registered in the United Kingdom and Nigeria for enforcement.

“This fresh case commenced in 2001 passed through four different justices of that Court arising from twists and turns associated with opposed litigations, until it was disposed of about 10 years after in June 2010 by Buba J. (the fifth judge to preside over the matter).”