MOBIL PRODUCING (NIG) UNLTD & ANOR
V.
REGD TRUSTEES OF MINERAL RESOURCES AWARENESS INITIATIVE OF AKWA IBOM STATE & ANOR

MUHAMMED LAWAL SHUAIBU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division, Akwa Ibom State, Coram Hon. Justice I. M. Sani, delivered on 25th of May, 2018 dismissing the appellants’ notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the trial Court to entertain the suit.

The respondents as plaintiffs before the trial Court took out a writ of summons and statement of claim filed on 12/5/2017 claiming declaratory and injunctive reliefs against the defendants jointly and severally.

Upon being served with the originating processes, the defendants now appellants filed a notice of preliminary objection praying the Court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction on the grounds inter alia, that the suit is statute barred and that no reasonable cause of action was disclosed against the 2nd appellant herein. After hearing parties on their respective affidavit evidence, learned trial Judge found that the resp…