In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Lagos has mandated the immediate withdrawal of police officers from the premises of Nestoil Limited, marking a pivotal turn in the high-profile debt dispute involving the oil and gas company.
Court Ruling Overturns Previous Order
Justice Daniel Osiagor issued a decisive order on November 20, 2025, effectively vacating an earlier directive that had authorized law enforcement presence at Nestoil Limited's facilities. The ruling also extends protection to Neconde Energy Limited and their directors, Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and Nnenna Obiejesi.
The court's formal communication came through Deputy Chief Registrar Longs Longwa, who addressed a letter to the Lagos State Police Commissioner. Dated November 20, 2025, the letter referenced the suit marked FHC/L/CS/2127/2025 and confirmed that Justice Osiagor's ruling had nullified all previous enforcement actions taken in connection with the plaintiffs' claims.
Legal Proceedings and Police Response
The dispute originated from allegations of substantial indebtedness brought forward by FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited and First Trustees Limited against Nestoil and its affiliated companies. The court's latest decision represents a notable shift in the case's trajectory, restoring control of the affected premises to the defendants while the substantive suit continues.
Legal observers note that the withdrawal order requires immediate compliance from the Lagos State Police Command. All officers currently stationed at the defendants' business locations must be removed without delay, according to the court's explicit instructions.
Implications for Ongoing Litigation
This development comes as the financial dispute between the banking institutions and the oil company continues to unfold before the Federal High Court. The reversal of the enforcement order signals a temporary victory for Nestoil and its associates, allowing them to resume normal operations pending further hearings.
The case has drawn significant attention within Nigeria's business and legal circles, highlighting the complex interplay between corporate debt disputes and judicial oversight. Industry analysts are closely monitoring how this ruling might influence similar cases involving corporate enforcement actions.
As the litigation progresses, all parties await the next phase of judicial proceedings that will ultimately determine the resolution of the substantial financial claims at the heart of this corporate dispute.
