Tunde Smooth, Niger Delta Prime Minister, hires DR. Mudiaga Odje SAN & Co to sue Shell and Renaissance African Energy Limited over sale of OMLs 28, 43, and 45
By Wilson Macaulay
Chief Tunde Smooth, known as the Prime Minister of the Niger Delta, has taken legal action against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Renaissance African Energy Limited by filing a suit at the Federal High Court in Warri through his lawyers, Dr. Mudiaga Odje SAN & Co.
This suit challenges the legality of Shell’s transfer of its onshore oil mining licence to Renaissance, alleging violations of Nigerian laws including the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
The case raises concerns about the transparency and regulatory compliance of the transaction involving the sale of SPDC’s assets to Renaissance, a consortium of Nigerian independent oil and gas companies
The case centers on the controversial sale of Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 28, 43, and 45, which span across key Ijaw and Itsekiri areas, including Forcados, Omadino, and Escravos.
Chief Tunde Smooth, the Bolowei of Ijaw Nation through his company SMU-TUNS Nigeria Ltd, alleges that despite expressing formal interest in acquiring the OMLs as far back as October 13, 2021—and assembling both international technical partners and financial backers ready to fund the acquisition—Shell bypassed his firm in a sale process he claims was neither transparent nor fair.
Key Claims in the Suit:
Recognition of SMU-TUNS as an indigenous firm entitled to priority under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Act and the Local Content Act.
Violation of due process, citing misleading communications by Shell that gave assurances that the bid was under consideration.
Alleged losses, including damages and expenses incurred from acting on Shell’s representations.
Call for justice, requesting the Federal High Court to:
Set aside the sale of OMLs 28, 43, and 45 to Renaissance African Energy Limited.
Order a new, transparent bidding process.
Refund $1.3 billion to Renaissance, said to be the down-payment already made for the assets.
The suit is signed by Dr. Akpo Mudiaga Odje, Principal Associate of Dr. Mudiaga Odje SAN & Co., and has already sparked discussions among Niger Delta stakeholders about transparency, local content rights, and the economic future of host communities.
