OPL 2005: Tension in Bayelsa Community as SEEPCO Allegedly Violates Court Order Halting Exploration Activities
Tension is rising in Onuebum community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, over the alleged violation of a Federal High Court order by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Nigeria Limited (SEEPCO). The court, sitting in Yenagoa, had issued an injunction stopping SEEPCO from carrying out oil exploration activities on OPL 2005, located in Owaliba land.
According to elders and youths of the Onuebum community, SEEPCO has defied the court’s directive and resumed civil works, including extensive sand filling, at the oilfield site.
Community members argue that this action constitutes a blatant disregard for the interlocutory injunction granted on February 19, 2025, by Justice N. Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court. The suit, numbered FHC/YNG/CS/277/2024, was filed by HRH Kine Kolobota Osain and Diomaziba Daniel Odumafor on behalf of the Onuebum community against SEEPCO, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Bayelsa State Government, and the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State.
The court had ruled that SEEPCO must halt all oil exploration or related activities on OPL 2005 pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit.
The plaintiffs sought six reliefs, citing SEEPCO’s failure to conduct a Needs Assessment in consultation with the host community, as required under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) before proceeding with oil and gas exploration.
They argued that:
SEEPCO is legally obligated under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act and the PIA to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before commencing any oil and gas exploration.
SEEPCO’s decision to proceed without fulfilling these legal requirements constitutes a violation of statutory provisions.
The Bayelsa State Government and the Attorney-General had imposed conditions for SEEPCO’s operations on OPL 2005, but these conditions were ignored.
. The court must act to prevent further violations and enforce compliance with relevant laws.
An Onuebum indigene, Comrade Azibola, confirmed the ongoing activities at the Owaliba site.
“Despite the court order, SEEPCO has resumed work. Community sources report extensive sand filling, a preparatory step for oil extraction,” he stated.
Azibola warned that while no drilling has been observed, SEEPCO’s activities could amount to contempt of court, as the injunction broadly prohibits any oil-related work.
“This shows they don’t care about us or the law,” he lamented, adding that community frustration is growing.
The 2021 PIA was introduced to reform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, addressing issues of transparency, environmental degradation, and community inclusion in the Niger Delta.
“The law aims to ensure direct benefits for host communities while mitigating environmental harm,” Azibola noted. “This case will test the PIA’s effectiveness and the ability of courts to enforce compliance.”
So far, SEEPCO, the NUPRC, and the Bayelsa State Government have not publicly commented on the court order or the reported resumption of work. Attempts to get responses from SEEPCO workers at the site were also met with silence.
Meanwhile, the Onuebum Communications Team emphasized that the outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s oil sector.
“It will set a precedent for PIA enforcement and the resolution of disputes between oil companies and host communities,” the group stated. “It also highlights the ongoing struggle to balance economic development with environmental protection and community rights in the Niger Delta.”
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