By Solomon OKPO
Akwa Ibom indigenes resident in Abuja on Wednesday stormed the venue of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) meeting of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) on Disputed/New Oil Wells, protesting what they described as renewed attempts to tamper with the state’s 76 oil wells.
The protesters warned that the oil wells, which form a critical component of Akwa Ibom State’s economic lifeline, were conclusively adjudicated upon by the Supreme Court in 2012 in favour of Akwa Ibom State and should not be subjected to further disputes or administrative review.
They insisted that any move to reopen the matter amounted to a disregard for the authority of the apex court and a direct provocation against the people of the state, stressing that the judgment remains final and binding on all parties.
Akwa Ibom State was robustly represented at the meeting by a high-powered delegation of legal luminaries and government officials, underscoring the seriousness with which the state is treating the issue.
Members of the delegation include former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN; Assam Assam, SAN; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN; Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN; Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN; former Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ekpenyong Ntekim; Commissioner for Information, Mr. Emem Bob; Immediate Past Surveyor-General of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Aniekan Umanah; Honourable Member representing Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Mrs. Emem Isang; and Dr. Patrick Umoh, among others.
The Akwa Ibom delegation maintained that the state would deploy all lawful means to protect its territorial integrity and economic interests, warning that any attempt to undermine the Supreme Court judgment could have far-reaching legal and political consequences.
As at the time of filing this report, the IATC meeting was ongoing amid heightened tension and close security presence.
