Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, has declared that the legal and diplomatic matters surrounding the Akwa Ibom–Cross River oil boundary dispute are fully settled, both by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Nigerian Supreme Court.

Speaking on ARISE News’ Morning Show, Aondoakaa said any attempt to reopen the case is without legal merit and undermines the rule of law.

He recounted his key role in the enforcement of the ICJ ruling, particularly in the handover of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon under the Green Tree Agreement.

“As chairman of the boundary committee and co-leader of the Green Tree Agreement implementation, I can confirm that the final stage — the Bakassi handover — was completed. The judgement was enforced to the letter,” he said.

Aondoakaa clarified that the ICJ ruling stripped Cross River State of its littoral status following the cession of Bakassi, thereby disqualifying it from claiming offshore oil wells.

He added that the Supreme Court of Nigeria reaffirmed this position twice, both times ruling in favour of Akwa Ibom.

“Cross River had its day in court — twice. The decisions were clear, and they were implemented,” he emphasized.

He criticised renewed efforts to revisit the dispute, noting that Cross River failed to present its case during pivotal meetings with the National Boundary Commission.

“For five days in Calabar, boundary officials waited. No Cross River representative appeared. Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom cooperated and made its case,” he said.

Aondoakaa also revealed that Akwa Ibom, despite its legal upper hand, had extended a goodwill offer of N250 million monthly to Cross River, which was accepted at the time.

He stressed that all elements of the Green Tree Agreement, including village realignments and territorial adjustments, were carried out under international supervision, with meetings held in Switzerland and observed by five global powers.

“Nigeria honoured its commitment and upheld the rule of law,” he said, adding, “If we cherry-pick which judgments to obey, we lose credibility. We accepted villages returned from Cameroon — we must also accept those ceded.”

Concluding, Aondoakaa warned that the matter is closed from both legal and diplomatic perspectives, and any attempt to revive it is “futile and irresponsible.” (The Nation)