Ossiomo Power institutes contempt proceedings against Chinese firm over alleged disobedience of court order

Ossiomo Power Company Files Contempt Proceedings Against Chinese Firm

ABUJA — Ossiomo Power Company Limited has initiated contempt of court proceedings against Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC) over alleged violations of a court order. The action marks a significant development in an ongoing ownership dispute between the two companies.

The conflict began in 2025, when CCETC reportedly seized control of Ossiomo Power, restricting the company’s access to its facilities and hindering its electricity supply operations in Edo State. Ossiomo Power filed the contempt proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.

In October 2025, CCETC, formerly the defendant, filed an ex parte motion seeking to prevent Ossiomo Power from conducting its operations. The Federal High Court denied this request and ordered both parties to maintain the status quo until a decision could be reached on the main suit.

Despite the court’s ruling, Ossiomo Power alleges that CCETC has continued to occupy its facilities unlawfully. The company, represented by legal counsel G. Elias & Co., subsequently submitted Form 48, which serves as a “Notice of Consequence of Disobedience of Order of Court,” as part of the ongoing dispute.

Initially, Ossiomo filed the contempt proceedings in May 2026, but complications arose when one of the respondents was located in China and could not be served. This situation led Ossiomo Power to request the court for substituted service in Nigeria in September 2026.

On September 24, 2026, Ossiomo Power filed contempt of court proceedings against CCETC and its principal representative in Nigeria, Di Xihaou. The company’s management asserts that it has complied with the court order while accusing CCETC of multiple breaches.

Among the alleged violations, Ossiomo’s management claimed that in February 2026, a video surfaced on social media showing CCETC representatives allegedly inviting local community members to a project site and claiming ownership. Additionally, in July 2026, it was reported that CCETC unlawfully took electric poles and connected them to a power line owned by Ossiomo.

As of now, the Federal High Court has not scheduled a hearing date for the contempt proceedings.

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