Kano High Court presided over by Justice Wada Rano has again adjourned the case between the Kano State Government and British American Tobacco (BAT)Company to October 28 for its adoption of addresses in application filed by the parties involved. When the case came up for hearing last Thursday, the judge dismissed the request of the company (defendant) to amend everything they had already filed in adherence to the prayers of the plaintiff counsel, Mr. Babatunde Irukere.
Irukere had earlier challenged the prayer of the counsel for the defendant for an amendment of what they had earlier filed, arguing it would create delays and frustrate the process of justice. In his submission, the plaintiff counsel argued that, discussing the service of process for the past two and half years is still dragging the case backwards, pointing out that the court has shown in its ruling that in the interest of justice and urgency, the court should expedite action so that the merit of the case could be seen.
Earlier, counsel for the defendants, Phillip Morris International SA, Ebun Sofunde (SAN) argued that they were ready to move any application, but disagreed that there was a difference between resolve and hearing, which was the bone of contention.
The parties resolved to correspond all applications and process within 45 days to allow the proper hearing of the case which was adjourned to October 28.
