A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an order restraining the NNPC Exploration and Production Company Limited (NEPL), Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, WAGL Energy Limited, and Kristal Polis Limited from continuing with the demolition in the Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate in Bonny, Rivers State.
The presiding judge in Suit No.BYHC/17/CS/2026: Justice Rita Oguguo issued the ex parte order on Friday after hearing the submission of counsel to the claimants, Chief Eugene Odey.
Claimants in the suit are 45 residents of Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate, who are suing on their own behalf and on behalf of their families and other residents of the area, while the four companies are respondents in the suit.
The restraining order reads: "It is also Ordered that An Interim Injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the Defendants/Respondents or their agent from taking further steps in the demolition of the Claimant's landed property situate at the Shell pipeline Community in Bonny, Rivers State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice."
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"It is further Ordered that an Interim Injunction be and issued restraining the Defendants or their agents from demolishing the Claimant's landed properties situate at Shell Pipeline Community in Bonny, Rivers State, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice."
Justice Oguguo adjourned the case to Tuesday, February 24, 2026 for motion on Notice.
The presiding judge also granted the claimants leave to serve the writ of summons and accompanying processes on the defendants through substituted means.
She said: "That leave be and is hereby granted to the Claimants/Applicants to endorse the writ of summons and other accompanying processes in this suit for service outside the jurisdiction of this court.
"That leave be and is hereby granted the Claimants/Applicants to serve the writ of summons and other accompanying processes in this suit on the Defendants outside the jurisdiction of this suit at NNPC E and P Limited, opposite Ogba 200, Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State and WAGL Energy Limited, No. 45, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
"It is further Ordered that leave be and is hereby granted the Claimants/ Applicants to serve the 2nd and 4th Respondents the processes of this suit by delivering the same to the Director or Secretary at their Headquarter via DHL or any other speed post."
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Residents of the area protested on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, when they woke to see heavy-duty equipment demolishing structures, and officials of Kristal Polis Limited ordered them to vacate their residences on or before Friday, February 13, 2026, as they were set to demolish them.
