Prominent legal figure and former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has called on the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to urgently intervene in the resurging dispute between Cross River and Akwa Ibom States over the control of 76 oil wells.
Despite a 2012 Supreme Court ruling awarding the wells to Akwa Ibom, the Cross River State Government under Governor Bassey Otu has voiced its discontent and hinted at seeking a legal reversal—an action that has rekindled hostilities between both states.
Reacting to the renewed tensions, Obono-Obla stressed that further litigation would be futile and counterproductive.
“As a lawyer, I strongly advocate for mediation and conciliation over litigation when resolving disputes,” he stated.
According to him, court judgments rarely bring genuine closure in such emotionally charged matters.
“Even a legal victory can feel like a loss if it deepens division and undermines relationships,” he explained.
Referencing recent reports that Cross River now hosts 67 oil wells, Obono-Obla said the moment calls for strategic diplomacy rather than courtroom battles.
“Now is the time for a credible and neutral body like PANDEF to step in as mediators,” he urged.
While acknowledging the sentiments behind Cross River’s push for a revisit of the case, he was clear that the legal odds are heavily stacked against them.
“Cross River State has no legal footing to reopen a matter the Supreme Court conclusively settled thirteen years ago,” he declared.
He explained that the apex court rarely reopens concluded cases, citing the principle of finality in litigation. Instead, Obono-Obla proposed a dual-track resolution involving political engagement and legislative action.
“The National Assembly can enact laws that offer a dignified path forward for Cross River, possibly through the recognition of new evidence,” he suggested.
He emphasized that PANDEF, as a respected regional body, could play a crucial mediatory role in forging both political and legislative solutions to ensure a peaceful and lasting resolution to the lingering oil well saga.
