28 July 2025 | Calabar, Nigeria
The Cross River State Government has issued a detailed press statement addressing what it described as misrepresentations by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Akwa Ibom State, Uko Udom, SAN. The statement, released on 28 July 2025 by the Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, aims to restate facts regarding the long-standing dispute over the ownership of 76 oil wells.
Background to the Dispute
The oil well conflict traces its origin to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in 2002, which ceded the southern portion of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, while leaving the western part in Nigeria. According to Cross River State, the western Bakassi area, which remained in Nigeria, is still part of the state.
In 2008, Nigeria and Cameroon, with the support of the United Nations, signed the Green Tree Agreement to implement the ICJ judgement. A joint commission—Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission—was tasked with mapping out land and maritime boundaries. This process later involved the National Boundary Commission and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Alleged Bias in Oil Well Allocation
In August 2008, the National Boundary Commission and RMAFC held a retreat in Kano where they reportedly adopted a “Technical Option” over a “Historic Title Option” in boundary demarcation. This method awarded 76 oil wells located in western Bakassi to Akwa Ibom State.
Cross River State expressed concern that it was excluded from the retreat, even though Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States were invited. The state insists there was no boundary dispute between it and Akwa Ibom prior to that meeting.
Renewed Efforts for Redress
Despite various Supreme Court rulings, Cross River State maintains that it deserves justice. In March 2024, Governor Bassey Edet Otu engaged relevant federal authorities after being informed that several oil wells in OML 114 and 123 are within the maritime boundaries of Cross River State but bring no revenue to it.
As a result, an inter-agency committee was set up involving the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, National Boundary Commission, Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission, and surveyors-general from several oil-producing states.
Committee’s Findings
In May 2024, the committee executed its assignment by using the 11th edition of the national administrative map and a 2004 well dichotomy map to geolocate the oil wells. Their findings revealed that 67 of the 76 oil wells lie within Cross River State’s maritime boundary.
The Cross River State Government described the revelation as "uncomfortable truth" that Akwa Ibom seeks to suppress. The 2012 Supreme Court judgement is cited as the basis of injustice now being challenged with fresh evidence.
Federal Government’s Involvement
The Presidency has now intervened, directing both states to consult widely and hold stakeholder engagements. Cross River State, however, criticised the reaction of the Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General, suggesting a lack of interest in the resolution process as outlined by the Presidency.
Cross River reaffirmed its resolve to pursue justice, invoking the moral obligation that “truth crushed to the ground shall surely rise again.”
Final Position
The government declared that this press release would be its only response to the matter at this time.
The statement, signed by Erasmus Ekpang, Commissioner for Information, represents Cross River State’s official stance on the oil well dispute.S
Source: Cross River State Government Press Release, 28 July 2025
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