Tina AManda
An Industrial Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned for Defence, on the defamation of character and unlawful interference suit filed by Tambari Michael against Nigeria Liquidfy National Gas (NLNG), AUGJ services and Mrs Abimbola Ibikunle.
The case which was slated for Defence and cross-examination could not go on as the claimant Counsel Esther Awa informed the court that they just served a motion for amendment of their processes and reopening of the claimant case on the Defendants, noting that the reason they filed late is due to claimant ill-health.
The claimant’s Counsel also told the court that her client has motioned on notice for him to amend his said statement of the case and reopen his case.
However, Counsel Patrick representing 1st Defendant NLNG and 3rd Defendant Mrs Abimbola Ibikunle, inform the court that the claimant just served him the motion and needs time to go through it.
He also asked for the sum of three hundred thousand naira cost be paid to him by the claimant who had made him fly in from Lagos without letting him know that the case will no longer hold.
The presiding Judge, Justice Nelson Ogbuanya, after listening to submissions of Counsel in the matter, told the claimant’s Counsel that she failed to provide a cogent reason for the delay in filing the processes, adding that there must be a serious ground and purpose to reopen a case.
Justice Ogbuanya declined the three hundred thousand naira cost asked by the 1st and 3rd Defendant Counsel, thereby adjourning the case to 21 January 2023, for Defence.
It would be recalled that Mr Tambari Michael has approached the court to challenge the termination of his appointment and also prayed for Court to declare his termination illegal.
