Investigation

$150m Suit: Court Admits Bablink Witness’ Documents In Evidence

Published

1 year ago

January 26, 2024

Justice Edward Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Nyanya has admitted in evidence, several documents tendered by Bablink Resources Nig. Ltd. against Brentex Petroleum Ltd and China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd.

At a resumed hearing on Thursday, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), who appeared for the claimants (Bablink), called his first witness in the matter.

The claimant’s witness, Mr. Ganni Isiaka, a director in Bablink, adopted his witness statement on oath as several documents were tendered and admitted through him.

However, counsel for the defendants, H. M Danjuma sought leave that his right to object to all the documents tendered by the claimant be reserved for final address, and the same application was granted.

Nevertheless, the tendered documents were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits BRN 1 to BRN 19 respectively.

Thereafter, the defendant’s Counsel sought an adjournment because they were not ready for cross-examination.

Earlier, an effort by Aondoakaa to call the claimant’s first witness was vehemently opposed by a lawyer to the defendants.

Danjuma told the court that the defendants had applied to the vacation Judge for the matter to be re-assigned and that the said application was granted by the vacation Judge.

However, the presiding judge, Edward Okpe informed the defendant’s counsel that the case file before him which is marked CV/589/2023, had not at any time been transmitted to the chief judge for re-assignment.

The judge stated that it was rather the case file in motions marked M/2083/23 and M/2084/23 that were transmitted to the chief judge for re-assignment.

Given the foregoing, counsel to the defendants, then said they were not ready to proceed as they needed time to put their house in order.

Reacting, Aondoakaa dismissed the defendants’ reason for an adjournment and urged the court to discount the application for adjournment and proceed with the hearing of the matter.

But Danjuma replied that his application for adjournment was on the grounds of a fair hearing.
However, in a bench ruling on the application for adjournment, the court held that the application by the defendant’s counsel for adjournment has no leg upon which it can stand, saying that fair hearing is for all the parties as well as the court.

Justice Okpe added that the defendants have not in any way been deprived of their right to a fair hearing but the same has been accorded to them as they were served with the Writ of Summons since December 18, 2023, but have failed to file a defense even when they were in court on the last adjourned date when the matter was adjourned to today for hearing.

It was the court’s opinion that a fair hearing is also for the claimant, and for the defendant to not be ready and then seek adjournment to the detriment of the claimant who is ready to proceed is also an encroachment on the claimant’s right to a fair hearing.

Consequently, the defendant’s application for adjournment was refused by the court and the claimant was granted leave to call its first witness.

The matter has been adjourned with the consent of parties to the February 13, 2024, for the continuation of the hearing.

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Investigation

FRSC Corps Marshal Orders Investigation Into Negative Video Of Passenger Dangerously Dragging Steering Wheel To Evade Impoundment Of Vehicle

Published

6 months ago

September 8, 2024

The Gleamer

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has taken keen notice of a recent video in the social media space, as well as other publications in the mainstream media; alleging that one of its staff was involved in a physical altercation with a passenger over the steering wheel in the cause of impounding the vehicle of an apprehended traffic offender.

While expressing disappointment and obvious concern over the incident, the Corps Marshal has directed the Sector Commander within whose operational jurisdiction the incident occurred, to carryout extensive investigation and forward the report to the national headquarters within 48 hours.

According to the Corps Marshal, the Federal Road Safety Corps will take the allegation seriously as thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident have commenced in essence.

From the preliminary investigation report forwarded to the Corps Marshal, the incident happened along Asaba Ogwashi-ukwu route within the Asaba Sector Command general operational area, on 23rd August, 2024.

The vehicle, a Toyota Sienna bus was flagged down for necessary checks by the patrol team after which the driver was found guilty of driving a commercial vehicle without an installed speed limiting device. A traffic offence that necessitates impoundment of the vehicle.

In an attempt to carryout the impoundment, the lady struggling the steering with the driver who was just a passenger in the vehicle refused to come down for the arresting Marshal to sit in front in conformity with standards for vehicles impoundment.

To put the records straight, the public should note that irrespective of the fact that the woman acted in a dangerous kind of way that would have resulted in a crash, the Corps will still go ahead to ensure that rules of engagement remain sacrosanct and if found guilty, the staff involved will face disciplinary action in line with our zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.

Pursuant to that, the Corps wishes to assure the public that because it values the trust and confidence of the public, it will not condone any behaviour that compromises our integrity. In that regard, the Corps will remain committed to providing excellent service, ensuring safety on the road, and upholding the highest standards of conduct among its personnel.

To that effect, the Corps Marshal humbly appeals to the public to continually report any instances of misconduct or unprofessional behaviour by FRSC staff to the Corps through the FRSC Mobile Application or call the 122 for immediate action.

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