Residents of communities in Omoku Clan, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, have taken legal action against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Oando, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) over alleged non-compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The plaintiffs, members of the Omoku Communities Youth Leaders Forum (OCYLF), including Ekeukwu Pureheart, Famous Elemchukwu Clinton, Daniel Woko, Ugochukwu Adah, Stanley Ohia, and Victor Eke, claim that Agip, Oando PLC, and NNPCL have failed to engage directly with host communities as required by the PIA.
In the lawsuit, marked FHC/PH/CS/:::/2025, the plaintiffs argue that for decades, these oil companies have conducted exploration in Omoku communities without formally recognizing each affected community. They assert that this has denied residents their rightful benefits, including development projects and direct engagement with the companies operating on their land.
This legal action follows a previous suit, FHC/PH/CS/281/2024, in which the communities alleged neglect and environmental degradation caused by oil extraction activities. The OCYLF stated that both lawsuits were initiated in response to the companies’ continued refusal to comply with government directives and to enforce the communities’ rights under the PIA.
The communities are demanding that Agip, Oando PLC, and NNPCL comply with the PIA by:
Recognizing each affected community in the Omoku Cluster as an independent host community as provided in the PIA.
Engaging directly with local leaders of each community, rather than through intermediaries, in accordance with the law.
Fully implementing the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) under the PIA, ensuring each community has its duly elected representatives in the management and advisory committees and a proper fund allocation for their Community Development Plan (CDP).
The Coordinator-General of OCYLF, Comr. Ekeukwu Pureheart, expressed the frustration of the affected communities, stating:
“For over five decades, our land has been exploited while we suffer. The Petroleum Industry Act was supposed to change things, yet Oando, NNPC, Agip, and others continue to act as though the law does not apply to them. We are in court to ensure that justice prevails.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, youth leaders and affected community members are urging the Federal Government and NUPRC to enforce compliance with the PIA.
Speaking on behalf of the Obosi community, Monday Eluozo emphasized:
“We are not asking for favors; we are demanding what is rightfully ours. The PIA was enacted to protect host communities, yet oil companies are still ignoring it. We are taking this battle to the courts because we refuse to be marginalized any longer.”
