Court Restrains Amaechi From Appointing Contractors For Maritime Project

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) from installing operators of the International Cargo Tracking System in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights.

Justice D. U. Okorowo gave the ruling in view of a motion exparte filed by CASER.

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Medtech Scientific Limited and Rozi International Nigeria Limited are also joined as defendants in the suit.

Recall that Amaechi was sued at the court by CASER for allegedly bypassing due process in the selection of companies to implement the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) in Nigeria.

Amaechi was accused in a court document filed on December 13 by CASER, of manipulating procurement processes and misleading President Muhammadu Buhari into confirming the engagement of two “unqualified” firms– Medtech Scientific Limited and Rozi International Nigeria Limited.

The ICTN is a multi-million contract that tracks imports and exports within the country but in the affidavit supporting the suit signed by Frank Tietie Esq, there are documents, including memos from the Office of the National Security Adviser, to show that Amaechi ignored due process in the selection of the “unqualified” contract awardees.

In his ruling, Okorowo ordered stakeholders to stay further action until the conclusion of the case.

“An order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 2nd defendant (BPP): either by itself, servants, agents, privies or through any person or persons howsoever described or termed from appointing the 4th and 5th defendants as the operators of the International Cargo Tracking System in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 2nd defendant; either by itself, servants, agents, privies or through any person or persons howsoever described or termed from giving further approvals and waivers to the 1st defendant (Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Transport) in the planned appointment of the 4th and 5th defendants as the operators of the International Cargo Tracking System (ICTN) in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining all the defendants either by themselves or through their officials or agents or any other person or persons howsoever from taking further steps towards nominating any company or entity to be operators of the International Cargo Tracking System in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” the judge ruled while adjourning hearing on the main suit to January 12.