Honeywell Vs Ecobank: Judge to Deliver Ruling on Jan 15

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris, has set aside January 15, 2016 to rule on a contempt charge filed against Ecobank Nigeria Limited by Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. The judge arrived at the decision after entertaining a request for an adjournment of its hearing by lawyer to Ecobank, Kunle Ogunba (SAN), which was turned down by the court. It would be recalled that Ogunba had prayed the court for an adjournment for the hearing of the contempt suit to enable him prepare his response adequately. However, counsel for Honeywell, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), while opposing the said application, noted that a contempt charge was sui generis (unique). Olanipekun added that the court must not allow itself be brought to ridicule. In his ruling, Justice Idris maintained that he would hear the contempt proceedings on the reason that the court was duty bound to guard its powers jealously. The judge held that, “It is not just desirable, but essential for the court to look into the matter of contempt before proceeding with any other issue.  At all times, it is the duty of the court to guard jealously its powers and to give first consideration to the proceedings in contempt of its court. In the circumstances, I shall hear the contempt proceedings now.” In the application, Honeywell had alongside its sister companies, Anchorage Leisures Ltd and Siloam Global Services Ltd accused Ecobank of disobeying an earlier directive by the judge that all parties should maintain status quo ante-bellum. The companies dragged Ecobank to court over disagreements regarding an alleged debt owed the bank by the group.