Court Order: Delta based lawyer, Ajekweneh writes SPDC, gives 14-day ultimatum to pay client over ₦2million

Following a court order, High Court sitting in Otor-Udu in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, a lawyer based in Enerhen, Uvwie Local Government Area, T.O. Ajekweneh Esq. has written Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) giving a fourteen day(14) ultimatum for the oil firm to pay to his client, Prince Victor Bighoro the sum of two million, one hundred and seventy-six thousand, six hundred and twenty naira, eighty eight Kobo).

This is coming after the company earlier paid the sum of five hundred thousand naira(₦500,000) to his client after its Appeal was dismissed in a judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal, Asaba in Appeal No.CA/AS/383/2017.

The letter was written and addressed to the Managing Director of SPDC through the Manager, Corporate Lands Management. 
 
The legal practitioner said:"Your company is the 14th Defendant in Suit No. HCG/40/2011 in which High Court of Justice, Otu-Jeremi ordered that any payment for our client's family represented by our client be paid to the family with a separate cheque issued therefore.

"Our client was in court with your company over pending payments which your company failed, refused and/or neglected to pay but during the pendency of the said suit(i.e, Suit No. HCG/40/2011), your company paid the sum of two million, one hundred and seventy-six thousand, six hundred and twenty naira, eighty eight Kobo (₦2,176,620.88) to one Kelvin Oghogho and the court ordered in Suit No. HCG/47/2008 to pay the said sum of ₦2,176,620,88 (two million, one hundred and seventy-six thousand, six hundred and twenty naira eighty eight Kobo) to our client. 

"Your company refused to pay and appealed against the judgment, but there was no appeal touching the order that your company pay the sum of ₦2,176,620.88 (Two million, one hundred and seventy-six thousand, six hundred and twenty naira, eighty eight Kobo) to our client and the entire Appeal by your company against the judgment was dismissed with cost of ₦500,000.00 (Five hundred thousand naira) which your company has paid to our client, a copy of the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Asaba in Appeal No. CA/AS/383/2017 is attached for ease of reference. There is no appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Asaba in Appeal No. CA/AS/383/2017."

The lawyer expressed disappointment at the manner the company is treating his client and judgment of Court of law with impunity. 

According to him, "In Suit No.HCG/47/2008 and the appeal thereon in CA/AS/383/2017, both the trial Court and the Appellate Court found and held that your company should assess and value our client's entitlements but your company has failed, refused and/or neglected to assess and pay to our client his families entitlements. 

"It is noteworthy that in the judgment in Suit No. HCG/47/2008, your company was ordered to pay the sum of ₦2,176,620.88(Two million, one hundred and seventy-six thousand, six hundred and twenty naira eighty eight Kobo) with 30%(thirty percent) interest thereon, with effects from May 2017 monthly till date and settle the entire judgments as our client is open to amicable resolution of the issue within 14(fourteen) days from the receipt of this letter. 

"Please take note that should your company fail, refuse and/or neglect to comply with herein contained demand, we shall thereafter use every legal means to ensure compliance with the judgment either by garnishee proceedings, committal proceedings or any other legal means against your company."