Nigeria, Jan. 31 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday brought to a close a 29 years long dispute by dismissing an appeal challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, on a jurisdictional issue and nullifying a N1.4 billion compensation award against Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.

In a unanimous judgement delivered by a panel of justices led by Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, the Supreme Court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain claims arising from land disputes and compensation for compulsory acquisition or unexhausted improvements.

Other members of the panel were Mohammed Garba, Tijjani Abubakar, and Habeeb Abiru.

The court ruled that matters relating to land acquisition and compensation fall exc...