CHRAN PRESS RELEASE
ACCOUNTABILITY: CHRAN SEEKS COURT ORDER AGAINST EMOIMEE
The case instituted by a foremost civil society cum human rights organisation in Nigeria, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) against the Board of Trustees Representative of EMOIMEE in Eket Local Government Area, Air Commodore Charles Usoh, Rtd., and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Seplat Joint Venture was heard by the Federal High Court 2, Uyo Judicial Division presided over by Justice J. Onah, today, Monday, 23rd February, 2026.
The CHRAN Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong was in court with the CHRAN’s Secretary of Research and Documentation, Comrade Etimbuk Ekpenyong.
The CHRAN through its lawyer, Chris Ibanga, Esq., of Chief Victor Iyanam & Co. informed the court that the matter was for Judicial Review pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
Also present in court were: Barr. Akwaowo Ikot, who represented the Board of Trustees’ Representative of EMOIMEE Eket, Air Commodore Charles Usoh (Rtd.), (the 1st Respondent), and Barr. Unyime Essien, the legal adviser of EMOIMEE – Eket Local Government Area, (the 2nd Respondent).
The matter was heard and adjourned to 16th March, 2026 for further hearing.
In suit No. FHC/UY/CS/10/2026 the CHRAN is seeking an order of the court mandating EMOIMEE to produce the full list of projects executed by them or through their agents or subsidiaries in Eket Local Government Area and the projects’ locations; the full list of scholarship beneficiaries undertaken by the Respondents in Eket Local Government Area directly or through their agents or subsidiaries; the full list of contractors engaged by the Respondents in Eket Local Government Area with copies of their Corporate Affairs Commission Certificate; details of any other interventions carried out in Eket Local Government since inception of the Host Community Trust; and the CHRAN is also asking the Court to grant any such order(s) in which the Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.
The CHRAN had pursuant to the FoI Act, 2011 written a letter dated 19th November, 2025 to EMOIMEE Eket Chapter requesting those information. The CHRAN acted in response to the complaints of the people of Eket Local Government Area to the Center.
The request by the CHRAN was not granted by EMOIMEE, as a result, the CHRAN approached the court for a mandatory order of the court.
EMOIMEE is a Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) established by NNPC/SEPLAT JV pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 to manage the 3% percent development fund of Eket Local Government being an oil-producing community. The fund is the development of Eket Local Government and her people.
EMOIMEE is in Eket, Mkpat Enin, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mbo, Eastern Obolo and Esit Eket Local Government Areas but the CHRAN is particular about Eket.