Posted by By ADESINA AIYEKOTI on
The Federal Government yesterday told a Federal High Court that the withdrawal of the oil prospecting licence 246 granted to an oil firm, South Atlantic Petroleum Limited owned by the former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) was not political.
The Federal Government yesterday told a Federal High Court that the withdrawal of the oil prospecting licence 246 granted to an oil firm, South Atlantic Petroleum Limited owned by the former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) was not political.
Government's lead counsel, Professor Odita (SAN) appearing with Chief Robert Clarke and others told the trial judge that the action of his client was done in accordance with an existing rule in the Petroleum Act.
The plaintiff had filed the suit seeking order of perpetual injunction restraining the Minister of Petroleum and Resources from giving effect, however to the decision communicated in a letter dated March 21, 2006 to the plaintiff purporting to deny the extant rights and interest of the applicant in the remaining part of OPL 246.
The Federal Government also pleaded with the court to dismiss SAPETRO's application for an interlocutory injunction and set aside paragraph 3 of the order dated May 9, 2006 which said that the grant of leave should operate as a stay of all actions connected with or relating to the oil prospecting licence 246.
Meanwhile, further trial has been fixed for June 19, 2006.