AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY SENATOR DOUYE DIRI, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, BAYELSA STATE

[Abigail pereowei]

Request for review and suspension of the sharing formula on the Elepa oil wells dispute

His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri,

With utmost respect and sincere concern, we write to formally express our strong objection to the recently announced sharing formula concerning the Elepa oil land. It is deeply troubling that this formula was introduced while the matter remains pending before a competent court of law.

While we acknowledge and commend the Bayelsa State Government’s ongoing efforts to promote peace, unity, and development across communities efforts which are indeed vital for attracting investment and sustaining progress we respectfully assert that due process and the rule of law must not be compromised. True and lasting peace cannot be built on a foundation of injustice, misinformation, or procedural irregularity.

We wish to firmly clarify that the Elepa oil wells are located within a long-standing fishing settlement belonging to the Egweama community in Brass Local Government Area (LGA)—not in Nembe LGA, as is being falsely portrayed. The area in question lacks any permanent structures or dwellings belonging to individuals from the Ogbolomabiri Nembe community. We urge the government to independently verify this on ground.
Despite this, Mr. Gelegukuma Apiri, a native of Ogbolomabiri Nembe, continues to falsely present himself as a traditional ruler of the Elepa area, misleading both the public and government authorities. Of particular concern is his recent public claim that he secured a legal victory against the Egweama community regarding the Elepa oil wells. This claim is entirely false and should be disregarded. And he should stop telling lies to the public.

For the record, when Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (formerly Shell) appealed a matter involving these oil wells, Mr. Gelegukuma Apiri filed to be joined as an appellant. The court rejected his request.
Clarification of the Legal Status:
In 2014, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited objected to a document signed by Tonye Harry & Co., leading to litigation that escalated to the Court of Appeal.
The main case remains pending before the Bayelsa State High Court and has not been resolved.

On February 13, 2023, the Court of Appeal (Justices Olabode A. AdegbEhingbe, Joseph S. IkyEgh, and Gabriel O. Kolawale) delivered a ruling in Appeal No: CA/PH/669/2014, related to Suit No: YHC/64/1998. That ruling did not confer any legal victory on Mr. Apiri.

Notably, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited was directed to pay N500,000 to the Egweama community, reinforcing their recognized stake in the area.

Dissatisfied parties have since filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, confirming that the matter is still sub judice and far from concluded.
Despite these facts, Mr. Gelegukuma Apiri went on air, thanking the government and misleading the public with false narratives of a nonexistent court victory. We urge the government to conduct an independent and factual review of these developments.

It is deeply unjust that Mr. Gelegukuma Apiri, who has no physical, cultural, or historical connection to the Elepa oil wells, has been allocated 40%, while others from his Ogbolomabiri community were granted an additional 30%, leaving only 30% to the Egweama community, the true host.
We challenge the government to visit the Elepa area and attempt to locate the so-called “royal palace” of Mr. Apiri—if it exists and to verify his claim to traditional authority over that land.
We also note with concern that the committee tasked with reviewing this matter never visited the locus (the actual site). This fundamental procedural failure has likely influenced a biased report, which appears to have guided the Deputy Governor’s position and resulted in the flawed sharing formula.
We assert that proceeding with the implementation of this formula while the legal case is ongoing amounts to interference in judicial proceedings and threatens to undermine justice.
Our Humble Requests:

That the current sharing formula be reviewed and suspended immediately, pending the final determination of the court.

That a neutral and independent committee be reconstituted, with a clear mandate to visit the locus and engage all relevant stakeholders in a transparent and inclusive process.

That the principles of fairness, rule of law, and non-interference in judicial matters be strictly upheld.

We place our full trust in Your Excellency’s sense of justice and fairness. We are confident that the Bayelsa State Government, under your leadership, will act in the best interest of equity, peace, and sustainable development.

Thank you for your time and kind attention.

Yours faithfully,

Excel Yerindideke Toriomo,
Concerned Parties of Cape Formoso, Egweama Community.

www.facebook.com/100063604808550/posts/ ... 7S9Ucbxw6v