The long-drawn-out battle between Bayelsa and Rivers States for Soku Oil Fields has assumed another dimension with the latter’s decision to jettison peace talks for a law suit, an action the former described as an abuse of judicial process.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/413/20 filed against the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and Attorney General of Bayelsa State, chiefs and principal members of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State are praying the court to declare River Santa Barbara as the boundary between the Kalabaris in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State and the Nembes in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Also, the plaintiff is seeking the declaration of the court on the purported 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria, arguing that it was done in error and its adoption should be declared null and void.
But the defendant, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bayelsa State, Chief Francis Egele counter-argued that the plaintiff holds no locus standi, as the boundary dispute is a matter between the states and not LGAs or communities.
Describing the plaintiff’s suit as an abuse of judicial process, the state legal officer submitted that the Supreme Court had adjudicated on the matter, adding that it is wrong for individuals, group or state to flout the order of the apex court.
Quoting from the ruling of the Supreme Court as read by Justice Suleiman Galadima, Egele said the boundary between the two states could not be delineated until the National Boundary Commission completes its assignment as contained in the Supreme Court judgement on suit number 106/2009.
“I have set out the function of the NBC above and from the provision of the NBC Act, it cannot be seriously suggested that before the jurisdiction of this court is invoked in a boundary dispute between states, the NBC should have determined the dispute or completed its exercise in delineating the disputed boundary,” a part of the judgement read.
“It is on account of the foregoing and because of the technical nature of the dispute and the claims of the parties [that] this court finds that the NBC, as an authority vested with authorities and expertise know-how in dealing with this matter, should have once and for all conducted an exhaustive exercise of delineating the disputed boundary.
“In the light of the observations I have clearly expressed above, I do not feel comfortable to grant the declarations sought until the NBC concludes its exercise of delineation of the disputed boundary to finality. It will be futile and premature to determine the boundary of the two states in the present circumstances.”
Meanwhile, the suit filed in by Chief Goddey Orusah and seven others for themselves and as representatives of the chiefs and principal members of the Akuku-Toru LGA has been fixed for hearing at the Federal High Court Seven, Abuja on Wednesday 10th April.
According to Ebele, the Bayelsa State Government will file its defence at the hearing, despite being improperly served the writ of summon.
