Hearing in the dispute, over the sale of oil mining lease (OMLs) 52, OML 53 and OML 55, between Britannia-U Nigeria Limited, Chevron and Seplat was on Friday stalled, following the absence of the Presiding Justice of the five man panel, Justice Galadima
Although counsel to the parties were in court before 9am, it was not until 2pm that they were notified that the contentious matter would not be heard, owing to the “unavoidable” absence of the Presiding Judge, who had lost a family member.
Consequently, hearing in the appeal was adjourned ‘sine di’ by the apex court while counsel s are expected to be issued with hearing notices when a fresh date has been fixed for hearing.
It would be recalled that when the case last came up on May 18, 2015, the Supreme Court restrained Chevron, Seplat from selling the disputed oil blocks.
Specifically, the apex court ordered Chevron not to take any step or action regarding the sale of the oilmining lease (OMLs) 52, OML 53 and OML 55 – to Seplat Petroleum Development Company pending the determination of an appeal by Britannia-U Nigeria Limited.
Brittania-U Limited’s appeal is against an earlier ruling by the Appeal Court, Abuja, which vacated an order of interlocutory injunction by a High Court, restraining Chevron and Seplat from proceeding to conclude any deal on the two oil leases.
A five-man bench, led by Justice Tanko Muhammad issued the order, directing parties in the case to maintain the status quo. He said: “No party is allowed to take any step that will affect the res (subject matter) of the appeal.
