Seplat Petitions CJ, Accuses Judge Of Abusing Judicial Power

Seplat Energy Plc has urged the chief judge of the Federal High Court to transfer all cases involving the company either as a plaintiff or defendant to another judge based on the likelihood of bias of Justice Inyang Ekwo.

Seplat made the request in a petition dated May 15, 2023, signed by its acting CEO/chief operating officer, Samson Ezugworie.

The petitioner claimed that it was unrealistic for the company and its officers, including but not limited to the senior independent non-executive directors to obtain a fair and unbiased hearing before Justice Ekwo.

The company called on the chief judge to  transfer/reassignment suit NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2023 between Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 Others v. Seplat Energy Plc & 13 Others and all cases involving Seplat Energy Plc either as a plaintiff or defendant pending before Justice Ekwo on the ground of bias or likelihood of bias.

The petitioners linked its greviances to April 13, 2023, in suit no: FHC/L/ABJ/PET/8 2023 between Boniface Okezie & 3 Others V. Seplat Energy Plc & 9 Others filed by some individuals, purporting to be shareholders of the company.

According to the petitioner, during the court proceedings, the applicants, by a motion ex-parte, requested the court for an order of interim Injunction, the purpose of which was to prevent the board and management of Seplat from operating and managing the affairs of Seplat.

It stated that Justice Ekwo did not accede to the applicant’s request but ordered that Seplat and its officers/directors be served with the relevant court documents  to show the court why the ex-parte orders sought should not be granted.

The petitioner stated, ‘’My Lord, we are genuinely concerned and worried over the terms of the order that Justice Ekwo, made on May 9, 2023 whereby His Lordship, after hearing counsel move in terms of the motion before that Court, had to adjourn to enable the Petitioners/Applicants to put their house in order.”