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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Hearing in the suit seeking to stop the Federal Government’s concession agreement on e-Customs project has been fixed for July 6 by the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.
The project has been a subject of dispute among parties due to the approval granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The adjournment was predicated by an application by an interested party seeking to be joined in the legal dispute.
Already, counsel to the plaintiff, Anone Usman, confirmed receipt of the joinder application. Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the hearing date after plaintiffs counsel, Anone Usman confirmed receipt of an application for joinder by an interested party.
Another Company, Adani Mega System Limited through its counsel, Mr Taiwo Abel, had in a motion requested the court for it to be joined as an interested party in the suit.
Plaintiffs in the suit, E-Customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies (West Africa) Limited had approached the court to among other things, declare that the decision of the Federal Government and its agent to enter into a concession agreement with defendants in respect of the e-Customs project was illegal, having been made in gross violation of Section 2 of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act 2005.
They also asked the court to declare that e-Customs HC Project limited is the approved and rightful concessionaire for the e-customs project as approved by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting held on September 2 , 2020, and in line with Section 2 of the Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission Act. The plaintiffs are also seeking an order directing the Federal Government through the AGF, Finance Minister, IRCC and the NCS to consummate the e- Customs project with the 1st plaintiff as approved by FEC in its September 2020 meeting.
