UMARU ABDULLAHI. JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of the Federal High Court, by - Adah, J. sitting at Abuja, delivered on 31st May, 2006. The facts of the case are clear and are not in dispute. Put briefly, they are as follows:-
In May, 1993, the Appellant applied for an allocation of an Oil Prospecting License (OPL). The Appellant made all necessary payments in this respect and the license was granted accordingly. This license, will henceforth he referred to as OPL 216.
In September, 1996, the Appellant entered into an agreement with STAR DEEP WATER PETROLEUM LIMITED(STAR DEEP) as its technical adviser and at the same time transfer 40% interest in OPL 216 to STAR DEEP also later assigned 8% of its 40% interest in OPL 216 to another company called PETROBRAS 8% participation of interest in OPL 216.
In March, 2003, the Appellant applied to the Minister of the Petroleum Resources for conversion of OPL 216 to Oil Mining Lease (OML). The applicat…