A fresh legal battle is unfolding over ownership of the Dawes Island Field, as Makmera Nigeria Limited has renewed its claim to a 49 per cent equity stake in the asset, intensifying scrutiny over the title held by Petralon 54 Limited.

This development marks a new phase in the protracted dispute over the field, with Makmera insisting that it lawfully acquired the stake through an assignment from Eurafric Energy Limited, following a partnership arrangement with Funtay Global Resources Limited, the predecessor in title to Tako E&P Solutions Limited.

The documents in suit marked no. FHC/L/CS/479/18 show that Makmera instituted the action in 2018 after disputes arose over the 49% interest. The respondents in the suit are Tako E&P Solutions Ltd, Petralon 54 Ltd and former industry regulator, Department of Petroleum Resources.

Proceedings in the matter were stalled for years after Petralon filed an interlocutory appeal, CA/LAG/PRE/ROA/1079M/25, challenging a June 2022 ruling of the trial court.

The appeal effectively halted substantive hearing at the lower court.

However, the Court of Appeal on April 14, 2026, declined the appeal, holding that the substantive suit should proceed to conclusion before any appellate intervention. The court noted that interlocutory appeals should not be used to frustrate or unduly delay matters already slated for trial.

The ruling has now cleared the path for the resumption of proceedings at the Federal High Court, reopening the contest over the disputed equity in the field.

The case is likely to bring renewed attention to the chain of transactions, including farm-in arrangements, regulatory approvals and equity allocations tied to the Dawes Island asset.

The development could also cast a shadow over the field’s ownership structure, as competing claims by multiple parties continue to raise questions about title validity.

With the appellate court directing all parties back to the trial court, stakeholders in the oil and gas sector are closely monitoring the proceedings, which are expected to determine the rightful ownership of the contested 49 per cent stake.