The Receiver/Manager of Nestoil Limited and Neconde Energy Limited has issued a sharp rebuttal to what he describes as an unauthorized and misleading editorial published by The Guardian Nigeria on November 14, 2025. The editorial, titled “Enforcement of expired ex parte orders against Nestoil, Neconde unlawful,” is being dismissed as baseless and potentially defamatory.
The Receiver, Abubakar Sulu-Gambari, SAN, MCIArb, stated that the article heavily relies on unnamed “legal experts” who claim that ex parte orders obtained from the Federal High Court on October 22, 2025, have expired under Order 26 Rule 10 (1) and (3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019. He emphasized that these claims are not only false but could expose the newspaper to liability for malicious publication.
Critically, the editorial alleged that the Receiver disrupted crude oil production and export activities on OML 42 and took over the company’s Victoria Island head office. Sulu-Gambari flatly denies these assertions, calling them unfounded.
The Receiver clarified that his appointment was made under Deeds of Appointment dated August 19, 2025, and was publicly notified in The Punch and The Guardian on October 29, 2025. He notes that the court orders remain in full force, as proceedings have been halted following a petition against the presiding judge, pending a determination by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
“The public is advised not to take any legal advice from an unidentified online editorial,” Sulu-Gambari warned. He further cautioned that any dealings with individuals acting on behalf of Nestoil or Neconde without his express authorization will be considered illegal and subject to legal consequences.
Enquiries can be directed to the Receiver at [email protected].
