Fresh legal storm for Petralon as Makmera revives 49% equity claim in Dawes Island Field

The Dawes Island Marginal field dispute appears far from over, as a fresh chapter has emerged in the long-running controversy surrounding ownership and title to the asset, with Makmera Nigeria Limited (Makmera),  pressing forward with claims that it holds a 49 percent equity stake in the field, thereby raising further questions over the integrity of Petralons title.

According to court processes and claims filed by Makmera in Suit FHC/L/CS/479/18, the company maintains that Eurafric Energy Limited assigned 49 percent equity in the Field to it, sequel to its partnership with Funtay Global Resources Limited (predecessor in title to Tako E&P Solutions Limited). 

Makmera alleges that events subsequently unfolded in a manner that resulted in a dispute over the 49 percent equity interest, which forced it to institute the above suit in 2018 against several parties connected to the transaction, including Tako E&P Solutions Limited, Petralon 54 Limited, and the then industry regulator, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, among others.

The matter, however, experienced a prolonged lull after Petralon reportedly filed an interlocutory appeal (CA/LAG/PRE/ROA/1079M/25) challenging a June 2022, ruling of the trial court. The appeal effectively stalled substantive proceedings at the lower court for several years.

That delay appears to have now come to an end.

On April 14, 2026, the Court of Appeal reportedly declined Petralons appeal. The appellate court took the position that the substantive suit should first proceed to conclusion before appellate intervention, particularly in circumstances where interlocutory appeals could operate to frustrate or indefinitely delay matters already scheduled for trial.

The decision has now paved the way for the lower court proceedings to resume, thereby reopening the pathway for Makmera to pursue its claims over the disputed 49 percent interest in the field.

The revival of the suit is expected to place renewed focus on the historical transactions, farm-in arrangements, regulatory actions, and equity allocations surrounding the field.

Meanwhile, the development casts a shadow over the asset and could further intensify scrutiny over ownership claims connected to the Dawes Island Field, especially as multiple parties continue to assert competing rights and interests.

With the Court of Appeal now directing parties back to the trial court for continuation of proceedings, the litigation will finally produce judicial clarity on the disputed ownership structure of the asset.

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