A Nigerian court has struck out a N54 billion lawsuit filed against Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited over a 2014 oil spill, ruling that the claim was filed too late.
Gatekeepers News reports that the suit, brought by affected communities, sought compensation for damages allegedly caused by the oil spill. However, the court held that the case was statute-barred, meaning it was not filed within the legally permitted timeframe.
In its ruling, the court emphasised that while environmental concerns and claims for damages are important, they must be pursued within the time limits prescribed by law. As a result, the claim could not be entertained due to its delayed filing.
The plaintiffs had accused Mobil of responsibility for environmental degradation and economic losses resulting from the spill, which reportedly impacted livelihoods in the affected areas.
Mobil, on its part, challenged the suit on legal grounds, arguing that the claimants failed to initiate the action within the stipulated period.
With the dismissal, the court effectively ended the case, highlighting the importance of timely legal action in environmental and corporate liability disputes.
