By Uko Okon
Residents of Ikot Ebidang community and neighboring villages in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have filed a lawsuit against Natural Oilfield Services (Sterling Global), seeking compensation for environmental damage allegedly caused by a recent noxious gas discharge.
The company, during an appraisal well drilling operation conducted between August 21 and 23, 2023, reportedly released toxic substances into the environment, affecting 27 communities and causing the destruction of aquatic life, streams, and mangroves.
In suit numbers HFC/UY/CS/32/2024 by the Ikot Ebidang community and HFC/UY/CS/33/2024 by adjoining communities, the plaintiffs, through the Akwa Ibom Oil Community Development Network—a human rights advocacy group—are asking the court to declare the company’s activities unlawful, unconstitutional, and in violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). They argue that the drilling was carried out without adequate safety and precautionary measures.
The communities also contend that the operation contravened Articles 16 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as Sections 25 and 26 of the 2021 National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) regulations.
In a statement issued Thursday in Uyo by the Network’s President General, Apostle Ufot Phenson, the group called on the court to compel the company to pay fair and adequate compensation to the victims of the gas discharge for losses suffered, including environmental destruction, loss of livelihood, and health-related consequences. They are relying on the “polluter-pays” principle as stipulated in NOSDRA’s regulatory framework.
Phenson disclosed that preliminary objections filed by Sterling Global had already been dismissed by the court, and urged community members to attend the next hearing of the substantive suits, which has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
“Having come to the court, the company raised preliminary objections which were dismissed by the court in favour of the people. However, Wednesday, 25th June 2025, has been fixed for the hearing of the substantive suits. All members of our group and other interested members of the public are encouraged to witness the court proceedings at the Federal High Court, 1 Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo,” he said.
