The Akwa Ibom State Government has firmly rejected any suggestion of revisiting the ownership dispute over 76 oil wells with Cross River State, declaring that the matter was conclusively settled by the Supreme Court in 2012.
The Akwa Ibom State Government said it has no interest in entertaining a political settlement with its Cross River counterpart on the 76 oil wells since the Supreme Court had already decided the matter. Advertisements Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom, Elder Aniekan Umanah, made this known during an appearance on Arise TV on Sunday. In July 2012, the Supreme Court laid to rest the long drawn controversy over the ownership of 76 offshore oil wells contested by Akwa Ibom and Cross River. A seven-man panel led by then-Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Musdapher ruled in favour of Akwa Ibom and affirmed Cross River’s status as a non-littoral state.
Umanah said recent reports attributed to the government of Cross River State, suggested that the issue of ownership of the wells would be up for review and that a political settlement was in the offing.
He said the Akwa Ibom State Government is firm that a decision made by the apex court of the land is judgement in rem and can neither be appealed nor deliberated further. The commissioner urged the public to disregard any circulating claims or rumours, emphasising that the July 2012 ruling of the Supreme Court remains final and binding.
“This is a settled matter. The Supreme Court, in July 2012, ruled on this matter and placed a permanent seal on this conversation. “That is the highest court of the land. Once the Supreme Court gives a ruling, it is final. This is not a matter we should even talk about. “This is a matter that Akwa Ibom State did not even take to court. I mean it is sealed,” he argued.