THE controversy surrounding the disputed 76 oil wells was finally laid to rest on Tuesday, with the Supreme Court holding that they belonged to Akwa Ibom State.

Cross River State had been contending the ownership with Akwa Ibom and brought a suit seeking court order to take over the oil wells.

In a unanimous judgement, the apex court dismissed the suit brought by Cross River and ordered that Akwa Ibom should continue to receive the 13 per cent derivation accruable from the said oil wells.

Attempts by Cross River to arrest the judgment was also foiled by the panel of justices, who bluntly rejected a request by the plaintiff’s counsel to move an application seeking to re-open arguments in the suit, call new witnesses and re-consider exhibits.

The panel insisted that Tuesday was fixed for judgment in the suit and nothing would change it, while advising Cross River that it could come with its fresh application after the judgment had been delivered.

Counsel for Cross River State, Paul Erokero, told the panel that the state accepted it in good faith and would abide by it.

Counsel for Akwa Ibom State, Chief Bayo Ojo, condemned the media trial of the case and re-affirmed the confidence of his client in the judiciary.

In the lead judgment prepared by Justice O.O Adekeye and read by Justice Bode Rhodes Vivour, the court held that Cross River had become a land-locked state by the virtue of the judgment of International Court of Justice ceding Bakasi Peninsula to Cameroon, adding that there was nowhere in the world where a land-locked state could be a littoral state.

Reacting to the judgment, Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, said Cross River must apologise for its media attack on the Federal Government agencies involved in the dispute as a condition precedent for discussion.
Also reacting, Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, said “this judgment is merely a temporary triumph of falsehood. I have confidence in the ultimate victory of good over evil.”

Also reacting, a member of the National Assembly representing Bakassi, Akpabuyo and Calabar South federal constituency, Honourable Essien Ayi, said the consequences of the judgment went beyond Cross River State, as it affected Nigeria’s international and maritime boundary.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Senator Ita Enang, on Tuesday, however, lauded the judgment, adding that he did not expect otherwise.

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Effiong Abia, said the judiciary still remained the last resort of hope for the people.

Comments (3)

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written by Abasiama G. Essien, July 11, 2012

The supreme court once again has prove that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.My prayer is that other smaller court in nigeria should as a matter of urgentcy emulate the apex court and deliver judgement to cases brought before it free and fair.

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Re: judgement of the supreme court
written by Ema O Ndon, July 11, 2012

It is clear that a land locked state like Cross River State cannot lay claim to being a littoral State. However, short off begging the issue, i will move a motion for the Akwa Ibom State Govt to engage their Cross River state counterpart in finding a common/ mutual ground for the benefit of our sister state. To be honest, politicians from both sides have not helped issues as utterances expressing their various positions seem to blow the matter out of proportion.

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Supreme Court's decision
written by Okey, July 11, 2012

YESTERDAY MARKED ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS FOR NGERIA, BUT MANY OF US DO NOT KNOW IT. IF REALLY THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA HELD THAT CROSS RIVER STATE IS A NOT A LITTORAL STATE, THEN THE NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY (NPA), CUSTOMS, IMMIGRATION, ETC, DUTY POSTS ON "CAMEROONIAN SHORES & COASTLINES ABUTTING CALABAR" TODAY, ARE ILLEGAL POSTS AND ACT OF OCCUPATION OF THE CAMEROON TERRITORY BY NIGERIA. NIGERIAN SHIPS THERE NOW OR THAT BE THERE IN FUTURE ARE COMMITTING ACTS OF PROVOCATION AGAINST PEOPLE OF CAMEROUN.

DITTO, THE PRESENCE OF NIGERIAN NAVY, MILITARY, THEIR OFFICE, AND ACTIVITIES ON THE SEA SHORE AND THE SEA ITSELF WHICH ABUTS CALABAR IS ACT OF PROVOCATION AND AGGRESSION BY NIGERIA AGAINST REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON.

FOR THAT IS PRECISELY THE FULL MEANING AND IMPORT OF THAT HORRIBLE JUDGMENT BY THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA YESTERDAY THAT CAMEROON IS A NON-LITTORAL STATE.

WE HAVE BY PURSUIT OF TRANSIENT WEALTH PLACED A BURDEN ON FUTURE GENERATIONS OF NIGERIA TO STILL GO TO THE WORLD COURT TO PLEAD THAT "CAMEROON SEA AND SHORES ABUTTING CALABAR" IS, IN FACT, CALABAR LITTORAL TERRITORY. WHAT A SHAME !

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