Shell challenges court’s jurisdiction in suit by Bayelsa Traditional Ruler

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Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, in a suit filed by the traditional ruler of Ekpetiama in Yenagoa, HRH Bubaraiye Dakolo,The traditional ruler is challenging the divestment by Shell UK PLC from onshore and shallow water assets hitherto operated by SPDC. The plaintiffs in the suit alleged that the divestment by Shell did not follow the stipulated guidelines in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. Dakolo, is also seeking redress and remediation of cumulative pollution of Dakolo’s domain for 40 years. Ekpetiama community is in the neighbourhood and part of host communities to the Gbarain-Ubie gas plant and Gbarain oilfields. FHC/YNG/CS/81/2025, are Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Shell Petroleum N.V, Shell UK PLC.