A Nigerian federal court has ordered the oil company Oriental Energy Resources to pay $43.51 million to Ameena and Zara Indimi, twin daughters of Nigerian businessman Muhammadu Indimi, the company’s founder.

The ruling, reported by several African and Nigerian economic news outlets including Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, comes after a longstanding family dispute over shareholding and dividend payments.

According to media reports, the sisters claimed that their ownership stakes in the company were reduced without their consent, leaving them excluded from a major dividend payout. They sought compensation for the dividends they said were owed.

The court sided with Ameena and Zara Indimi, ordering Oriental Energy to pay $43.51 million to cover the disputed dividends.

The case has attracted significant public attention in Nigeria due to the size of the payment and the prominence of the Indimi family in the country’s business and oil sectors. Muhammadu Indimi is widely recognized as an influential figure in Nigeria’s energy industry.

As of now, the company has not released a detailed public statement regarding the court’s decision, and it remains unclear whether an appeal will be filed.

Beyond the family dispute, legal experts cited in the press highlight that the case underscores the importance of corporate governance and the protection of minority shareholders in private Nigerian companies. Analysts suggest the ruling could set a precedent for transparency and respect for shareholder rights.

The situation also illustrates the challenges of managing family-owned enterprises, particularly in high-stakes sectors such as oil and energy.