NNPCL pipeline area demolition: Case moved to April 17 as Jumbo House storms court as joiner

A new twist has occurred in the case involving demolition by the NNPCL in Bonny, Rivers State and the case has been moved to April 17, 2026.

Twist came when the Jumbo House of Bonny Kingdom stormed the court to be joined as claimants in the case between residents of Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate in Bonny, Rivers State, and some oil and gas companies and their subsidiaries.

Chief and Head of Dan-Jumbo House, Se-Alabo Clinton Dan-Jumbo, disclosed this on Friday in an interview with newsmen shortly after the sitting of the court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Recall that 45 residents of Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate, had in Suit No.: BYHC/17/CS/2026, before Justice Rita Oguguo of the Bonny High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, secured an order restraining the companies from continuing with the demolition of their properties in the Ntamoku Ayambo Pipeline Estate in Bonny, Rivers State.

The companies include Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, NNPC Exploration and Production Company Limited (NEPL), WAGL Energy Limited, and Kristal Polis Limited.

At the resumed sitting of the case on Friday, Jumbo House appeared in court to seek joinder in the matter.

Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, Dan-Jumbo said the House was making the move to protect its assets and rights and preserve what they inherited from their forebears.

“The truth is that in Bonny Kingdom land is owned by families and families must protect their assets, especially at a time like this, when the Kingdom is made up of mixed multitude. If families do not take the responsibility of protecting their assets, the efforts of their ancestors would be in vain.”

Speaking on the control and management of the asset, Clinton Dan-Jumbo stated that after litigation, the three Chiefs of Jumbo House together with the family heads that constitute the innermost cabinet of the Jumbo House as well as principal members of the House shall develop a blueprint on how proceeds from the land shall be used for the development of the House and its people.

“We have to plan for generations yet unborn, we will look at how to harness the resources, drive development, and build our people up”

Clinton Dan-Jumbo also told newsmen that the recent upsurge in efforts by Jumbo House to reclaim and assert ownership of the land aligns with the efforts of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, to create the enabling environment to attract the much-desired investments into the Kingdom.

“I am convinced His Majesty will be happy that the right steps are being taken to restore order in the Jumbo House, which he is part of. In light of this I believe his interest is aligned with mine and that of the members of the Jumbo House”.

Clinton Dan-Jumbo however advised investors who wish to operate in Bonny to follow the approach outlined by the King in acquiring properties in the Kingdom in order to avoid problems.

“The best approach in my view remains the one outlined by His Majesty. If an investor wants land, it approaches the Amanyanabo, who identifies the family that owns the land, negotiation is had and then he acts as consentor”.

Similarly, counsel to the residents, confirmed that the Chiefs of Jumbo House has successfully filed for joinder to assert their interests in the matter which he said has been served on all parties involved, explaining the implications of the joinder in the suit by the Jumbo House

“If anyone wants to claim that property, you negotiate with the actual owners of the land. So, the Jumbo House is coming into the matter to assert ownership of the land and also to defend the interest of residents.”

Counsel also advised the claimants to remain peaceful as they trust in the judicial process.