By Innocent Anaba
A Federal High Court in Lagos has set aside a directive by the House of Representatives Committee ordering Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited, SEPNU, to pay N72.624 billion as compensation to communities over alleged oil spill incidents, holding that the National Assembly exceeded its constitutional powers.
The court held that the directive amounted to an unconstitutional usurpation of the judicial powers exclusively vested in courts of competent jurisdiction.
Justice Allagoa, in a judgment delivered on Monday, granted all the reliefs sought by Seplat in Suit No. FHC/LAG/CS/862/2026, marked Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited v. House of Representatives.
The company had challenged the House of Representatives’ report of November 14, 2025, which found it liable for alleged oil spill-related damages and directed it to pay N72.624 billion as compensation to affected communities.
