Supreme Court Dismisses 36 States Suits Against FG On Gas Earnings Since 1999

The Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the 36 states against the federal government calling for declaration of gas earnings, citing lack of jurisdiction.

Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba delivered the ruling on November 22, 2024, stating that the court did not have original jurisdiction to hear the matter

The 36 states filed the suit to seek a financial breakdown from the federal government for proceeds earned from the sale of LNG and natural gas-related products since 1999.

In a unanimous judgment, a seven-member panel of the court, presided over by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji held that the court lacked the original jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit, which has the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as the sole defendant.

In the lead judgment, delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the court upheld the preliminary objection raised against the suit by the AGF and held that the matter before it had already been dealt with in an earlier decision by the Supreme Court.

Justice Garba also agreed that the suit is tantamount to an attempt to re-litigate issues already decided by the court in the AG, Bauchi v. AGF case.

The judge further proceeded to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction to hear the matter as presently constituted.

The NATION