A fresh legal battle has erupted over the control of Eroton Exploration and Production Limited, as the oil and gas company moves to halt the execution of interim orders that placed it under administration.

Through its lawyers, Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), leading Collins Ogbonna, of Osborne Law Practice, Eroton has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to stay all actions arising from interim ex parte orders made on January 20 and 29, pending determination of its applications challenging both the legality of the court’s orders and its jurisdiction over the matter.

The company has filed three separate applications: a motion on notice to set aside the interim orders and restrain their execution; a notice of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction; and a substantive motion seeking a stay of execution and injunctions to preserve the status quo.

Together, these filings aim to suspend the administration process until the court resolves questions about its authority to hear the case.

The dispute stems from proceedings initiated by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), which prompted the court to issue the interim orders and appoint Mr. Amala Umeike, an insolvency practitioner, as Administrator of Eroton.

Following the orders, Umeike issued notices to management, including a letter dated February 6, 2026, convening a management meeting for February 11 at Stren & Blan Partners in Lagos. Eroton, however, contends that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit or make the interim orders.