Supreme Court didn’t cede disputed oil wells to Rivers – Bayelsa

Bayelsa has said Tuesday’s verdict of the Supreme Court on the
matter it instituted over the disputed oil wells with neighbouring
Rivers did not amount to a resolution of the dispute.

It also said contrary to reports in the media, the apex court’s
verdict did not cede the oil wells or area to Rivers State.

Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ayibaina
Duba, who gave the explanation on Friday, said the clarification
was necessary to dispel erroneous reports and misinformation.

He explained the Supreme Court, by its decision, only advised
Bayelsa to await the ruling of the Appeal Court where it also filed
an appeal seeking to nullify the judgment of the Federal High Court
delivered in favour of Rivers on the disputed oil wells.

He further stated the apex court did not rule on the substance
of the matter brought before it as it felt it was premature to do
so when the appellate court had not decided on the same issue.

He stated: “Justice Sylvester Ngwuta felt by filing another
application before the Supreme Court on a similar matter was an
abuse of court process.

“So, the apex court, in its wisdom, felt it was appropriate for
the Appeal Court to determine the matter before it before we can
approach the highest court of the land if necessary. That is the
exact position.

“It is therefore wrong for anyone to create the erroneous
impression that the apex court gave judgment in favour of Rivers
when that was not the case.

“Besides, the dispute does not amount to a strain in the
relationship between Bayelsa and Rivers. The issue for
determination is purely administrative.

“We are contesting the decision of a court, which we consider
unfair to us as a state. There is nothing unpleasant in our
decision to challenge an unfair ruling of a Federal High Court.
Bayelsa is not a part of Rivers as the area in contention is in
Oluasiri clan, which is in Nembe Local Government Area of
Bayelsa.”

Bayelsa has said Tuesday’s verdict of the Supreme Court on the
matter it instituted over the disputed oil wells with neighbouring
Rivers did not amount to a resolution of the dispute.

It also said contrary to reports in the media, the apex court’s
verdict did not cede the oil wells or area to Rivers State.

Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ayibaina
Duba, who gave the explanation on Friday, said the clarification
was necessary to dispel erroneous reports and misinformation.

He explained the Supreme Court, by its decision, only advised
Bayelsa to await the ruling of the Appeal Court where it also filed
an appeal seeking to nullify the judgment of the Federal High Court
delivered in favour of Rivers on the disputed oil wells.

He further stated the apex court did not rule on the substance
of the matter brought before it as it felt it was premature to do
so when the appellate court had not decided on the same issue.

He stated: “Justice Sylvester Ngwuta felt by filing another
application before the Supreme Court on a similar matter was an
abuse of court process.

“So, the apex court, in its wisdom, felt it was appropriate for
the Appeal Court to determine the matter before it before we can
approach the highest court of the land if necessary. That is the
exact position.

“It is therefore wrong for anyone to create the erroneous
impression that the apex court gave judgment in favour of Rivers
when that was not the case.

“Besides, the dispute does not amount to a strain in the
relationship between Bayelsa and Rivers. The issue for
determination is purely administrative.

“We are contesting the decision of a court, which we consider
unfair to us as a state. There is nothing unpleasant in our
decision to challenge an unfair ruling of a Federal High Court.
Bayelsa is not a part of Rivers as the area in contention is in
Oluasiri clan, which is in Nembe Local Government Area of
Bayelsa.”