Firm prays court to dismiss suit against it

A construction firm, NACENN Nigeria Limited has asked the Enugu State High Court to dismiss the over N267m suit brought against it by the former Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Prof Ilochi Okafor (SAN).

Managing Director of the company, Engr. Ezekiel Ezulike, while testifying in the suit before Justice H.D Eya, stated that Okafor was not entitled to the said sum, having compromised in the discharge of his responsibilities as solicitor to the company on garnishee ex-parte actions against the federal government.

He told the court that the company had duly terminated the appointment of Okafor on March 11, 2015 as he (Okafor) within the period he was hired did not meet with target set for him, adding that ‘the company suffered financially as a result of the misrepresentation of facts and breach of contract in recovering the money the federal government is owing the company”.

He stated that the judgment debt arose from erosion control contracts, which his company executed for the federal government in various parts of the country, adding that they decided to appoint him to represent the company in discussions on how to recover the money.

Asking for the payment of N1.2 billion as general damages for breach of contract, Ezulike asked the court for a declaration that the “termination by the letter dated March 11, 2015, of the brief to IUC Global chambers is justice and not a breach of contract as being claimed by Okafor.”

Justice Eya has adjourned the matter to September 21 for further hearing.