Eroton moves to stop court-ordered administration, challenges jurisdiction

Eroton Exploration and Production Limited has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to halt the execution of interim orders that placed the company under administration, citing jurisdictional defects and alleged procedural irregularities.

The company, through its counsel, Joseph Nwobike (SAN), leading Collins Ogbonna of Osborne Law Practice, urged the court to stay all actions arising from interim ex parte orders issued on January 20 and 29, 2026, pending the determination of applications challenging both the court’s jurisdiction and the validity of the orders.

In a statement made available, the company has filed three applications: a motion on notice seeking to set aside the interim orders and restrain their execution; a notice of preliminary objection contesting the court’s jurisdiction; and a substantive motion for a stay of execution and injunctive relief to preserve the status quo.

Eroton contended that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit and that the interim orders were granted without full disclosure of material facts.

The company further argued that the initiating party is not a juristic entity entitled to seek administration under relevant provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.

In an affidavit sworn to by Felix Deckon, a senior litigation officer at Osborne Law Practice, Eroton said the orders have disrupted its operations and impaired its ability to meet financial obligations.

The company described itself as an indigenous oil and gas producer that operated OML 18 between 2015 and 2023 and holds a petroleum licence valid until 2038.

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Eroton is seeking orders restraining LIRS, the appointed administrator, and more than 40 other parties from acting on the interim orders, as well as setting aside steps already taken.

The interim orders followed proceedings initiated by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), which led to the appointment of Amala Umeike, an insolvency practitioner, as Administrator of Eroton.

Umeike issued notices to the company’s management, including a letter dated February 6, 2026, convening a management meeting scheduled for February 11 at Stren & Blan Partners in Lagos.

At the time of filing this report, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the applications.