L
LequteMan
Guest
Nigeria - A $48m suit instigated by Honeywell Group and its Chairman Dr Oba Otudeko against Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has been dismissed by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday.
Otudeko, through Honeywell, sued the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dangote Industries Ltd, Dangote and Greenview Development Ltd.
He prayed the court to declare him the valid owner of a land measuring over 10.841 square metres at the Lagos Ports Complex, known as the Fifth Apapa Wharf Extension.
Otudeko claimed ownership by virtue of a lease agreement between his company and NPA but Dangote contended that the agreement was neither turned into a deed nor was it registered.
Delivering judgement, Justice Abang said there was no illegality in the manner Dangote acquired the land, which was through an agent.
“The plaintiff’s claims lack merit. I so hold,” the judge held.
“It is my view that the second defendant lawfully granted the concession with the approval of the then head of state to the agent of Dangote,” he said.
On the award of damages, the court held that Otudeko was not entitled to monetary compensation because there was no evidence he suffered any losses.
He however awarded N50,000 cost against Otudeko in favour of NPA and BPE, and N50,000 to the other defendants.
The Nation
Otudeko, through Honeywell, sued the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dangote Industries Ltd, Dangote and Greenview Development Ltd.
He prayed the court to declare him the valid owner of a land measuring over 10.841 square metres at the Lagos Ports Complex, known as the Fifth Apapa Wharf Extension.
Otudeko claimed ownership by virtue of a lease agreement between his company and NPA but Dangote contended that the agreement was neither turned into a deed nor was it registered.
Delivering judgement, Justice Abang said there was no illegality in the manner Dangote acquired the land, which was through an agent.
“The plaintiff’s claims lack merit. I so hold,” the judge held.
“It is my view that the second defendant lawfully granted the concession with the approval of the then head of state to the agent of Dangote,” he said.
On the award of damages, the court held that Otudeko was not entitled to monetary compensation because there was no evidence he suffered any losses.
He however awarded N50,000 cost against Otudeko in favour of NPA and BPE, and N50,000 to the other defendants.
The Nation
