A Nigerian court has ordered Oriental Energy Resources Limited to pay $43.51 million to Ameena and Zara Indimi, twin daughters of billionaire oil magnate Mohammed Indimi, bringing to a close a prolonged corporate dispute over dividend entitlements and shareholding rights within the privately owned oil firm.
The judgment followed a legal action filed by the sisters, who accused the company of withholding dividends accruing from their equity interests after a major dividend payout running into hundreds of millions of dollars was declared.
According to court proceedings, the dispute arose when the claimants alleged that their combined shareholding in the company was reduced without their consent, a development they argued significantly limited their access to profits due to shareholders. They subsequently approached the court seeking enforcement of their shareholder rights and payment of outstanding entitlements.
After reviewing submissions from both parties, the court ruled in favour of Ameena and Zara Indimi, directing Oriental Energy Resources to pay $43.51 million, representing accumulated dividend claims and related financial obligations.
Legal analysts say the ruling reinforces the protection of shareholder rights under Nigerian corporate law, particularly within closely held or family-linked enterprises where ownership structures often become contentious.
The case attracted widespread attention due to the stature of the parties involved and the size of the award. Oriental Energy Resources is a notable operator in Nigeria’s upstream oil sector, while Mohammed Indimi remains one of the country’s most prominent figures in the petroleum industry.
As of press time, the company had not publicly indicated whether it would comply with the judgment or challenge the decision at the appellate courts. Observers note that the next phase of the case may depend on enforcement proceedings or a possible appeal.
The verdict marks a significant moment in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched corporate family disputes, underscoring the courts’ readiness to enforce contractual and shareholder obligations regardless of the status of those involved.
