Halkin Exploration and Production Limited has threatened the Senate with a N10 billion fine for considering a petition concerning the disputed Atala Marginal Oil Field (OML 46).
Hardy Oil Nigeria Limited and HEPL are at odds.
Based on the petition filed by Hardy Oil Nigeria Limited, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has threatened to issue an arrest warrant to compel the management of HEPL to appear before it.
Hardy Oil claimed in a Senate petition against HEPL that the Atala Marginal Field (OML 46), which it previously owned, was fraudulently sold to HEPL by the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources.
The Senate, based on the strength of the petition, directed its Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee to investigate the matter.
The two oil firms at the beginning of the investigative hearing by the Committee in October appeared through their representatives.
However, HEPL, after evading two subsequent summons after its maiden appearance before the panel, surprisingly slammed the committee with a N10bn suit seeking discontinuation of further deliberation on the matter.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Ayo Akinyelure (PDP Ondo Central) broke the news of the law suit to his members at their sitting on Tuesday.
Senators James Manager, Uche Ekwunife, Smart Adeyemi and Sam Egwu vowed to ensure that no court injunction would stop the Senate probe.
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