Akwa Ibom communities sue oil firm over toxic discharge

The people of Ikot Ebidang community and other adjoining villages in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have sued the management of Natural Oilfield Service (Sterling Global) seeking redress over the destruction of their environment caused by the noxious gas discharge.

The company had, during it appraisal well drilling, which lasted between August 21st to 23rd, 2023 released toxic substances into the environments of the affected communities.

The noxious substances impacted negatively on 27 communities, destroying their aquatic lives, streams and mangroves

In suit nos HFC/UY/CS/32/2024  by the Ikot Ebidang community and another with HFC/UY/CS/33/2024, by the adjoining communities, the people through the umbrella body of the A’Ibom Oil Community Development Network, a human advocacy organization  prayed the court to declare that the activities of the oil company’s well drilling is unlawful, unconstitutional and a total violation of the the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) as it was carried out without first putting in place professional safety and precautionary measures

According to the communities such appraisal well drilling also violated article 16 and 24 of the African charter on human rights and people’s rights part v (section 67) of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency regulations 25 and 26,2021

The group in a statement by its president general, Apostle Ufot Phenson on Tuesday in Uyo said the communities are also praying the court to direct the management of the company to pay fair and adequate compensation to victims of the gas explosion.

The statement reads in part, “the people are praying the court to direct Sterling Global to pay fair and adequate compensation to the victims of the gas explosion for all the damages and destructions they have been made to suffer including the denial of sources of livelihoods, health and human rights consequences in line with the international best practices of polluter-pays principles as enshrined in NOSDRA’s regulation 25 and 26,2011 among others prayers”

Apostle Phenson who noted that the company’s objections to the suits have been dismissed by the court urged the people to turn up enmase for the continuation of hearing which has been fixed for Wednesday June 25th

He said “Having come to the court, the company raised preliminary objections which were dismissed by the court in favour of the people. However, Wednesday 25/6/2025 has been fixed for the hearing of the substantive suits.

“All members of the our group and other interested members of the public are also encouraged to witness the court proceedings on Wednesday 25th, June, 2025 at the federal High court, 1, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo” he said.