An Oweri High Court, has in a judgment ordered the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to pay a business man, Mr Gideon Egbuchulam, and EF Network the sum of Eight hundred million naira (N800,000,000) over a failed contract and the sum of (N200,000,000) Two hundred million naira for damages which totals N1B, (one Billion Naira).
In a suit No: HOW/538/2011, filed by the claimants, EF Network (Nig) Ltd and Mr Gideon Egbuchulam against the Governor of the Imo State, the Attorney-General, Environmental Transformation Committee (ENTRACO) and the Ministry of Petroleum, the presiding Judge, His Lordship, Hon Justice 10 Agugua ruled that the “Defendants failed, refused and or neglected to file a defence despite the opportunities given by this court”.
His Lordship continued “After going through the papers filed by the claimants and his evidence which was unchallenged and reading the written address of SO Ejiogu (with E.I Uwadi) counsel for claimants and hearing the oral address of JC Ibe (Mrs) ( Assistant Director, Civil Litigation”.
The judge therefore went ahead to give the landmark judgment that will set Imo State back to the tune of N1 Billion Naira.
“That the defendants are hereby ordered to pay to the claimants the sum of N800,000,000, (Eight hundred million naira) being the outstanding contract sum of the contract dated 15/92007, between the parties and representing the supply of 40,000 Nos of Rolling plastic Refuse containers at the cost of N20,000 per container. The Defendants are also hereby ordered to pay the claimants N200,000,000 (Two hundred million naira) being special and general damages” Justice Agugua affirmed.
When contacted, the claimant, Mr Gideon Egbuchulam, an International Business man and Director and owner of EF Network told Trumpeta that he was relieved with the judgment, as the matter has vindicated him against any negative notion held about him by his foreign partners, adding that the case affected the fortune of his business, relationships with his partners and customers.
He said he has nothing personal against the Okorocha administration, but was only pursuing his legal right, and believes that every good Government must support, patronize and encourage indigenous companies, especially those who relocated from over seas to help develop the state.
His Lawyer, Dr (Bar) SO Ejiogu disclosed that his client had sunk huge sums of money to execute the contract to supply the goods in order to fulfill his own side of the contract and wondered why a well meaning Government cannot pay a performing and sincere contractor. The Lawyer was hopeful that the judgment debt would be paid so that his client can go back to business.
EF Network signed a contract to supply Imo State Government Rolling Plastic Refuse bins for evacuation of refuse, but which the Government could not pay. After peaces moves which could not yield any positive result, Mr Egbuchulam and his company headed to court to seek justice, which they got with the February 11, 2014 judgment by the Owerri
