Supreme Court Nullifies ₦1.4 Billion Award Against Mobil Over Land Dispute

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed an appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal in Calabar, thereby striking down a ₦1.4 billion compensation suit filed against Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited over an alleged acquisition of community land in Akwa Ibom State. The unanimous judgment delivered on January 30, 2026, held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain claims related to land disputes and compensation arising from compulsory acquisition of unexhausted improvements.

The case originated from a suit filed in 1997 by the Royal High Obong David Edu and 132 others at the Federal High Court in Uyo, seeking compensation on behalf of themselves and the Ekid people over land allegedly compulsorily acquired by the state government. The Federal High Court ruled in favor of the claimants in March 2014, awarding them ₦379,988,000 plus interest.

The Supreme Court's ruling upheld the submission of Mobil's counsel, dismissing the appeal in its entirety and reinforcing the constitutional and statutory limits on court jurisdiction in land compensation matters.