N2bn Malabu suit: Double legal representation stalls Hearing Justice A.R Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, could not continue with the substance of a suit instituted by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited against the House of Representatives over the the Houses interference in the ownership dispute of Malabu Oil coy. At the mention of the matter yesterday, after counsels to parties in the matter announced appearance, counsels to the plaintiff (Malabu Oil), Mr. Mahmud A. Magaji (SAN) made an oral application for the adjournment of the matter to enable the Counsels laying claim to the legal representation of the plaintiff sought out the issues in contention. Mr. Magaji (SAN) said: We are seeking the indulgence of the court to enable us sought out issues relating to appearance for the plaintiff. The second lawyer laying claim to the plaintiffs legal representation, Dr. R.O Atabo and other lawyers to the defendants in the suit did not object to the application for adjournment. Subsequently, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter to July 8, 2014 for hearing. He directed that hearing notice be served on the Attorney General of the Federation who is the 5th defendant in the matter. Other defendants in the suit include: The House of Representatives as the 1st defendant, the Speaker and the Clerk of the House as 2nd and 3rd defendants. While Hon. Leo Ogor and other members of the Houses Ad-hoc Committee on the disputed transaction are the 4th defendant. The plaintiff is challenging the constitutional powers of the House of Representatives or its Ad-hoc Committee not being a court established by Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended to exercise judicial powers of resolving dispute between Directors and/or Shareholders of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, among other issues for determination. It is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants as well as directing the plaintiff to pay N2 billion as aggravated and exemplary damages for the stress and unlawful interference in the lawful contractual agreement freely entered into between the federal government and the plaintiff.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:35:04 +0000