Court Orders Substituted Service As Firm Drags Obaigbena, Others To Contempt Proceedings

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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 — as well as their counsel, Dr. Abiodun Ishola Layonu, SAN, through substituted means.

The order was granted by Justice Akintayo Aluko on Friday, November 14, 2025, after the plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Ade Adedeji, SAN, moved an ex parte application seeking leave to serve Form 48 and other contempt processes following unsuccessful attempts at personal service.

Failed Attempts at Personal Service

According to two separate affidavits before the court, efforts to personally serve the alleged contemnors proved unsuccessful.

A court bailiff, Mr. Wale Adepitan, stated that on November 13, 2025, he visited the defendants’ last known business address at 2nd Floor, 188 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, but was unable to effect service. A subsequent attempt at the office of their counsel at Wesley House, Marina, also failed.

Another affidavit reaffirmed that the Awolowo Road location remains the last address officially supplied by the defendants in their capacity as directors of General Hydrocarbons Limited.

Following the filing of an Affidavit of Non-Service on November 14, the plaintiffs sought substituted service.

Court Approves Substituted Service

Justice Aluko granted leave for all contempt processes — including Form 48, which notifies parties of the consequences of disobeying a court order — to be served by:

• Pasting the documents at the Awolowo Road office;

• Pasting them at Dr. Layonu’s office at Wesley House, Marina; or

• Publication in a national newspaper.

The notices warn that continued disregard for the court’s earlier interim order may constitute contempt and could lead to committal proceedings.

Background: Receivership and Interim Orders

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

On October 24, 2025, the court issued extensive interim orders empowering Receiver Akinwunmi to assume full control of the company’s management and assets pending the hearing of a motion on notice.

The interim orders covered all movable and immovable assets, including:

• The company’s Awolowo Road office, and

• Its interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 120.

The court also granted Mareva injunctions restraining more than 30 commercial banks — including GTBank, Access Bank, FirstBank, Zenith Bank, UBA, and Standard Chartered — as well as major fintech platforms such as Opay, Palmpay, Paystack, and Piggyvest from releasing or dealing with the company’s funds.

Government agencies, including the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, the Inspector-General of Police, and the NNPC, were directed to ensure the Receiver had unrestricted access to all company locations, including OML 120.

Alleged Interference With Court Orders

Despite the clear prohibitions issued on October 24, the plaintiffs allege that Chief Obaigbena and his children continued to interfere with the Receiver’s lawful authority.

The court’s earlier ruling expressly restrained the defendants from obstructing or interfering with Akinwunmi’s duties or tampering with any company assets.

Next Steps: Contempt Proceedings Advance

With substituted service now approved, the contempt proceedings will proceed.

If the defendants fail to comply with the interim orders or respond to the Form 48 notices, the court may issue Form 49, formally initiating committal proceedings for contempt.