By NATHAN NWAKAMMA

A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, on Tuesday, dismissed a preliminary objection by Aiteo Group in a suit filed by the Opu Nembe Kingdom over oil spills that allegedly impacted the community.

Aiteo Group filed a preliminary objection on the grounds that Opu Nembe Kingdom misaddressed it as Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Ltd.

In the preliminary objection, the company insisted that it ought to have been addressed as Aiteo Eastern E & P Company Ltd.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Emmanuel Ayo dismissed the preliminary objection saying that the court cannot allow technicalities to defeat the substance of the suit.

Ayo said that the court was strengthened to dismiss the preliminary objection because the plaintiffs had already filed a motion to regularise the defendant’s name.

He adjourned matter until April 16 for ruling on the motion to amendment the defendant’s name.

In the suit marked FHC/YN/CS/284/2024, Opu Nenbe Kingdom is seeking a declaration that the massive spills resulted from operational failure and negligence by the oil company.

It would be recalled that Shell Petroleum Development Company, sold its OML 29 Oil Bloc to Aiteo Group, which currently operates in the area covering Opu Nembe and the neighbouring Otuabagi Community where the legacy Oloibiri oil wells are located. (NAN)