The legal battle, pitting siblings against each other, has exposed deep rifts and drawn public scrutiny to one of Nigeria’s most prominent business clans
Indimi Family Feud: $435M Oil Fortune Splits Nigeria’s Elite Dynasty
Nigeria’s Indimi family, once a symbol of oil-fueled wealth and unity, is now embroiled in a bitter $435 million inheritance dispute that’s tearing the dynasty apart. The legal battle among siblings has revealed deep divides and attracted public attention to a prominent Nigerian business family.
At the center of the storm is Mohammed Indimi, the billionaire founder of Oriental Energy Resources, a major player in Nigeria’s oil industry. His children are locked in a courtroom showdown over dividends and share transfers.
Mustafa Indimi, the eldest son and managing director, is defending the company against claims by his sisters, Ameena and Zara, who allege they were cheated out of $435 million in earnings.
The sisters’ 2022 lawsuit claimed they were pressured into selling their shares for just $10 million—a fraction of their worth. A second suit filed in 2024, citing the same $435 million figure, followed delays in the original case.
Mustafa counters that the share transfers were legal, voluntary, and backed by direct payments authorized by their father. Oriental Energy denies any $435 million dividend was ever declared, calling the sisters’ claims baseless.
The dispute has been complicated by unusual judicial twists. Justice Evelyn Maha, originally overseeing the case, was transferred but granted special permission to continue hearing it, commuting to Abuja and causing delays. A parallel case under Justice Emeka Nwite has further muddied the waters, with overlapping arguments dragging the saga into 2025.
Despite the family turmoil, Mohammed Indimi’s oil empire continues to thrive. In December 2024, Oriental Energy unveiled a state-of-the-art Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, set to boost production at the Okwok Field by mid-2025. Founded in 1990, the company remains a powerhouse with significant Niger Delta assets and a key terminal in Ebok.
Once celebrated for lavish weddings and elite connections, the Indimi family’s public unraveling is a stark reminder of the perils of mixing family and fortune. With billions in assets at stake, this high-profile feud could reshape the legacy of one of Nigeria’s most influential dynasties. Read More
