The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted permission to General Hydrocarbons Limited (in receivership) and its court-appointed receiver, Seyi Akinwunmi, to serve contempt proceedings on media mogul Nduka Obaigbena, his children, Efe Damilola and Olabisi Eka Obaigbena, as well as their counsel, Dr. Abiodun Ishola Layonu (SAN), through substituted means.
Naijaonpoint reports that Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the order on Friday, November 14, following an ex parte application filed by plaintiffs’ counsel, Chief Ade Adedeji (SAN).
In two affidavits submitted before the court, the plaintiffs explained that several attempts to personally serve the defendants with Form 48 – Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order proved unsuccessful.
A court bailiff, Mr. Wale Adepitan, deposed that on November 13 he visited the defendants’ last known address at 2nd Floor, 188 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, but was unable to effect service. A second attempt at the office of their counsel at Wesley House, Marina, also failed.
The Awolowo Road address had previously been provided by the defendants in an earlier suit and was affirmed as their last known address as directors of General Hydrocarbons Limited.
Ruling on the motion, Justice Aluko directed that the Form 48 notices, and all subsequent contempt processes, be pasted at: the defendants’ address at 188 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi; and; Dr. Layonu’s law office at Wesley House, Marina.
Alternatively, the notices may be published in a widely circulated national newspaper.
General Hydrocarbons Limited was placed under receivership via a Deed of Appointment dated September 18, 2025. On October 24, the court issued sweeping interim orders empowering Receiver Akinwunmi to take possession of and manage all company assets pending the hearing of a motion on notice.
The affected assets include the company’s office on Awolowo Road and its interests in OML 120. The court also issued Mareva injunctions freezing the company’s funds in more than 30 banks – including GTBank, Access Bank, FirstBank, Zenith, and UBA – as well as on fintech platforms such as Opay, Palmpay, Paystack and Piggyvest.
The plaintiffs accuse Obaigbena and his children of repeatedly interfering with the receiver’s work, contrary to the court’s orders.
The Form 48 notices warn Nduka Obaigbena, Efe, and Olabisi that failure to comply with the October 24 order may result in committal proceedings.
A similar warning was issued to Dr. Layonu (SAN), described as a “party to be bound,” cautioning him against any act capable of undermining the court’s directives.
The October 24 order had expressly restrained the defendants from obstructing the receiver or tampering with company assets.
It further directed security agencies – including the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, the Inspector-General of Police, and the NNPC – to give the receiver unfettered access to company facilities.
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