Court To Hold Nduka Obaigbena, Children In Contempt For Interfering With Company Receivership

The Federal High Court in Lagos has authorised General Hydrocarbons Limited (in receivership) and its court-appointed Receiver, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi, to serve contempt proceedings on media executive Chief Nduka Obaigbena, his children, Efe Damilola and Olabisi Eka Obaigbena and their counsel, Dr. Abiodun Ishola Layonu, SAN, via substituted service.

Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the orders on Friday, November 14, 2025, following an ex parte application moved by Plaintiffs’ counsel, Chief . Ade Adedeji SAN.

In two separate affidavits, the plaintiffs indicated that attempts to serve the defendants personally with Notices of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order (Form 48) were unsuccessful.

Court bailiff Mr. Wale Adepitan deposed that on November 13, 2025, he visited the defendants’ last known address at 2nd Floor, 188 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, but could not effect personal service.

He also attempted service the same day at the office of their counsel at 3rd Floor, Wesley House, Marina, Lagos, again without success.

Agbai-Abosi’s affidavit noted that the Awolowo Road address had been provided by the defendants in a previous suit and remains their last known address as directors of General Hydrocarbons Limited. Following the bailiff’s Affidavit of Non-Service dated November 14, 2025, the plaintiffs sought substituted service.

Justice Aluko granted leave for the Form 48 notices and all subsequent contempt processes to be served by pasting them at the defendants’ last known address in Ikoyi and at Dr. Layonu’s office in Marina.

Alternatively, the notices may also be published in a widely circulated national newspaper.

General Hydrocarbons Limited was placed in receivership under a Deed of Appointment dated September 18, 2025.

On October 24, 2025, the court issued broad interim orders empowering Receiver Akinwunmi to take possession of and manage all company assets pending determination of a motion on notice.

The orders cover movable and immovable assets, including the company’s Awolowo Road office and its interests in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 120.

The court also issued Mareva injunctions restraining over 30 banks including GTBank, Access Bank, FirstBank, Zenith Bank, UBA, and Standard Chartered, as well as fintech platforms like Opay, Palmpay, Paystack, and Piggyvest, from disbursing or dealing with the company’s funds until the matter is resolved.

The plaintiffs alleged that Obaigbena and his children continued to interfere with the Receiver’s authority in defiance of the court’s orders.

The Form 48 notices, addressed separately to Nduka, Efe, and Olabisi Obaigbena, warn that failure to comply with the October 24 order may constitute contempt of court and could lead to committal.

A similar notice was issued to Dr. Layonu, SAN, identified as a “party to be bound,” cautioning him against actions undermining the court’s directives.

In the October 24 ruling, the court had expressly restrained the defendants from obstructing the Receiver, interfering with his duties, or tampering with company assets. Government agencies, including the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, the Inspector-General of Police, and the NNPC were ordered to ensure the Receiver has unfettered access to all company sites, including OML 120.

With substituted service now approved, the contempt proceedings are set to move forward.

Should the defendants fail to comply with the existing orders or respond to the Form 48 notices, the court may issue Form 49, seeking their committal for contempt.