Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos High Court transferred the case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Cletus Ibeto to the attorney general of Lagos State for reassignment.
This decision was made after the court said it lacked the power to hear the matter.
The transfer of the case was prompted by a petition sent the attorney general by Ibeto’s counsel, Mr Robert Clark.
The case originated when Mr Daniel Chukwudozie filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Subsequently, charges were filed at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja against Ibeto and his companies.
The charges are said to have stemmed from a failed business transaction between Ibeto and Chukwudozie and his companies at the Reclamation Road Layout in Bundu Amo Community, Port Harcourt local government area in Rivers State.
Both parties voluntarily appeared before the High Court of Rivers State to resolve the dispute in a suit marked PHC/15S/CS/2022 between Ibeto Energy Development Limited & Anor vs. Dozzy Oil & Gas Limited & 2 Ors.
In its ruling, the court in Port Harcourt declared Ibeto Energy Development Ltd as the rightful owner of the land and awarded it the statutory right of occupancy over the land situated along the Reclamation Road Layout in Bundu Amo community.
Dissatisfied with the court’s decision, Chukwudozie and his companies lodged appeals, while Ibeto filed a cross-appeal challenging a specific aspect of the judgment.
These appeals are currently pending at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division.
While the case was still awaiting resolution at the court in Port Harcourt, Chukwudozie filed a petition with the EFCC in Lagos.
This resulted in a charge being brought against Ibeto in Charge No. ID/2149/23 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chief Cletus Ibeto & 2 Ors.
The transfer of the case to the attorney general marks a significant milestone in the legal proceedings as the jurisdictional matter is addressed.
The attorney general will now proceed with the prosecution of the case based on the petition by Clark
