The confusion triggered by viral social media posts claiming that the Court of Appeal has overturned a Federal High Court order in the dispute between Nestoil Limited and FBN Quest has been dispelled.

A comprehensive investigation confirms that the order issued by Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court remains valid, subsisting, and entirely undisturbed.

Recent online posts alleged that the appellate court reversed or suspended Justice Osiagor’s decision, creating uncertainty among stakeholders.

However, official court documents show no evidence to support such claims.

The dispute between Nestoil and FBN Quest arose from an earlier ex-parte order granted in favour of certain parties.

Justice Osiagor later clarified that the ex-parte order had lapsed by operation of law.

With its expiration, the court confirmed that no injunction or restriction continued to bind any of the parties.

Once the ex-parte order expired, it ceased to have legal effect.

The Federal High Court did not impose any fresh obligations, neither did it direct any party to take or refrain from taking any action.

The ruling simply restated the settled legal principle that an expired ex-parte order is unenforceable.

Upon reviewing the Court of Appeal’s recent directives, it was found no evidence of any reversal, suspension, or modification of the Federal High Court’s ruling.

Contrary to the narrative circulating online, the appellate court did not interfere with Justice Osiagor’s pronouncement.

The only directive issued by the Court of Appeal was that respondents should reverse any steps taken pursuant to the subsisting Federal High Court order.

Legal experts explained that since Justice Osiagor merely acknowledged the lapse of an ex-parte order and imposed no positive obligations, there were no enforceable steps that could have been taken by the respondents to begin with.

Therefore, the appellate court’s instruction aligns with the existing legal reality: the parties simply continue their normal business operations, as no injunction or restriction remains in force.

A review confirms that the legal status quo has not changed.

The Federal High Court’s finding that the ex-parte order had expired remains fully in effect.

The Court of Appeal did not overturn, stay, or modify that position in any manner.

In practical terms, the sensational claims circulating on social media suggesting a dramatic judicial reversal are unfounded.

The appellate court’s directive does not disturb the lawful effect of Justice Osiagor’s ruling, which continues to guide the conduct of the parties.

With the Federal High Court order intact, the parties in the Nestoil–FBN Quest dispute remain free to conduct their affairs without any active injunction or restrictive order.

Assertions that any injunction has been reinstated or revived have no basis in fact.

Legal analysts warn that the rapid spread of unverified online reports can mislead the public and distort commercial decisions.

This episode underscores the importance of relying on verified and authoritative information, especially in matters with legal and financial consequences.

After a thorough review of all relevant court documents and appellate proceedings, it was confirmed that the Federal High Court order issued by Justice Osiagor remains valid and untouched by the Court of Appeal.

The rumours currently circulating are rooted in misinformation.

Analysts advise the public to disregard unverified claims and rely on credible legal sources when assessing the status of ongoing disputes.

Source; The Nation News