Court stops NNPC, Renaissance others from demolishing estate in Rivers 

A Rivers State High Court holden in Port Harcourt has restrained four oil companies from going on with the demolition activities at the Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate in Bonny Local Government Area of the state.

The presiding judge, Justice Rita Oguguo, granted the ex parte order, Friday, in Suit No. BYHC/17/CS/2026, following submissions by counsel to the claimants, Chief Eugene Odey.

The order particularly barred Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Exploration and Production Company Limited,  NNPC L E&P, WAGL Energy Limited, and Kristal Polis Limited from taking further steps in demolishing properties belonging to residents of the estate pending the hearing and determination of the q1Motion on Notice.

The claimants, 45 residents of Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate, had on behalf of themselves, their families, and other affected residents dragged the firms to court over the ongoing demolition in their area.

The order read in part: “An Interim Injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the Defendants/Respondents or their agents 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.”

Oguguo held that the defendants and their agents must desist from demolishing the claimants’ properties at the Shell Pipeline Community until the substantive motion is heard and determined and adjourned the matter till Tuesday, February 24, 2026, for hearing of the Motion on Notice.

The court further granted the claimants leave to serve the writ of summons and other accompanying processes on the defendants outside the court’s jurisdiction through substituted means.

Oguguo permited the service on NNPC Exploration and Production Company Limited 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. 

She also allowed service on the 2nd and 4th respondents by delivering the processes to their directors or secretaries at their headquarters via DHL or any other recognized speed post.