Activists In Delta Drags Community Leader, Shell, Nestoil, seven Others to Court

Activists In Delta Drags Community Leader, Shell, Nestoil, seven Others to Court

A human right activists in Warri Delta State,  Comrade Mamamu Bakkawei has dragged nine oil companies operating in  Odidi Community, Warri South West Local Government Area of the State and Odidi Community Chairman, Chief Johnny Arigbogha before the State High Court in Warri demanding accountability and order restraining the payment of community funds into private Bank account. 

The activist in collaboration with the Committee for the Defence of Human Right, CDHR, on Thursday, alleged that the affected companies operating in Odidi Community has been paying money meant for the community into the private bank account of the community chairman, Chief Johnny Arigbogha, who has refused to render account for the past eight years to the community.  

The activist who forwarded a copy of the suit No W/13/2020  filed at the High Court of Justice, Delta State of Nigeria in the Warri Judicial Division noted that he has instituted a legal action against NestOil Company Limited, Fenog Nigeria Limited,

Neconde Energy Limited, OML 42 Asset Man Agent Team(ATM), Neconde/NPDC JV, Heritage Oil and Gas Limited, Impact Oil and Gas Engineering Ltd, Lee Engendering & Construction Nig.Ltd, Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company for aiding misappropriated process and depriving the host community of their legitimate benefits.

 The National Vice president of CDHR,

  Dr. Prince Kehinde Taiga who spoke with newsmen in Warri hinted that the legal action against Chief Aribogha and the companies was meant to save Odidi Community from violation of their economic rights, adding that the people of the community are suffering, impoverished, lack development projects ,no Water, no health facilities, lack schools facilities and no Jobs for unemployed graduates, according to him, he said "The companies are aiding misappropriation, corruption, by choosing to deal with Chief Aribogha who has corruptly enriched himself while youths and women in the community wallows in penury".

 The CDHR boss accused the companies mentioned in the suit for conniving with few individuals to bypass paying the actual community entitlements and benefits  to the Oil rich Odidi community, an act it viewed as less transparent.

He noted that before the court action was instituted, there have been  several petitions against  the chairman of the oil-rich Odidi community.

The CDHR National Vice President,  Prince Taiga further said, "Chief Johnny Aribogha as the present chairman of Odidi Community, previously Secretary for over 10 years. has been  using his personal accounts to receive all community monies; benefits for FTO (Freedom To Operate) which is a document agreement between the host community and the company and it contains all benefits and terms of operation between both parties), compensation for crude oil spills, land lease payment and other benefits, the oil companies has been taken side favorable to them to the detriment of the community”,

The human right activist, Comrade Bakkawei who also is a community youth leader from Odidi Community, by the suit is seeking a court order calling for Odidi Community Annual National Conference in order to render

 a comprehensive account of Arigbogha's regime from 2013 till date as the

Chairman/sole administrator of Odidi Community.

 He also sort an Order of perpetual injunction restraining the companies being the 2nd to 10th Defendants, their

agents,servants, representatives from further dealing with Chief Arigbogha being  the1st

Defendant, pending the determination of the suit.

His brief response said the allegations was baseless and malicious, adding that those sponsoring the petition have personal grudges against him.

However some of the mentioned companies were contacted to comment did not take their calls. The Community Relations Officer, Neconde Energy limited, Mr Time Willy said "I am not aware of any payment made by Neconde to any individual private account, but hope that those at the top management level knows better and give further response.