Court To Decide Legal Representation In High-Stakes AMCON/GHL Dispute

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled December 8, 2025, to rule on which lawyer will be officially recognized to represent General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) in its lawsuit against the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and others.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The dispute over legal representation emerged during the resumed hearing when two senior lawyers — Dr. Abiodun Layonu, SAN, and Mr. Oluseye Opasanya, SAN — both appeared, each claiming to act on behalf of GHL.

Dr. Layonu asserted that he remains GHL’s lawyer and had complied with court instructions by filing the necessary documents. He requested the court to confirm him as the company’s legal representative, arguing that AMCON’s appointment of a Receiver/Manager violated existing court orders.

Conversely, Opasanya presented the court with the Receiver/Manager appointment document dated September 18, 2025, claiming that following AMCON’s appointment, GHL’s directors no longer had the authority to hire legal counsel. He cited Supreme Court rulings supporting the view that the directors’ powers were suspended and urged the court to recognize the Receiver’s choice of lawyer.

The disagreement over representation had delayed contempt proceedings that GHL filed against AMCON. The contempt suit relates to earlier court orders restraining AMCON from recovering assets or interfering with GHL while the case was ongoing.

The original dispute involves Oil Mining Leases 120 and 121, which were part of a recovery arrangement with First Bank of Nigeria and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited to address a large non-performing loan. Under this plan, GHL could operate the assets and use production revenues to repay the loan.

AMCON and First Bank later raised concerns about the company’s management, citing revenue diversion, unpaid contractors, and threats to asset operations. In response, AMCON appointed a Receiver under the AMCON Act on September 18, 2025, to safeguard the assets. AMCON contends that the former directors filed the lawsuit without authority in an attempt to challenge the Receiver’s control.

Since assuming control, the Receiver has worked to stabilize operations while asserting that the former management attempted to misuse court orders to undermine the receivership.

The court is set to deliver its ruling on December 8, 2025, to determine which lawyer will be officially recognized to represent General Hydrocarbons Limited in the ongoing legal battle.