Members of the Agwolo-Ochoeke Royal Family of Ogbele community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State have taken Niger Delta Petroleum Resources PLC, now Aradel Holdings PLC, to the state High Court over a land dispute.
The Agwolo-Ochoeke Royal Families are seeking a court order directing Aradel Holdings PLC to allow them access to their land for a survey and to pay proper compensation.
They claim that since 2001, when the company began operations on their land, they have not received any rental payments.
Aradel Holdings PLC, the defendant, argues that it had paid for economic crops and has a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with the larger Ogbele community.
At a hearing on Tuesday, the claimants’ counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, requested the court to grant the families access to survey the disputed land, which the defense opposed.
Presiding Judge, Justice Sylvester Popnen, ruled that Aradel Holdings PLC must allow the Agwolo-Ochoeke Royal Families access to the land for a survey, with both parties present.
The judge directed that the survey must be completed within 14 days.
Speaking to the press outside the courtroom, Ozekhome described the ruling as beneficial for both parties and a rightful decision.
He explained that the Nigerian constitution requires anyone, group, or government taking over someone’s land to allow access to determine their interest for compensation purposes.