Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt division judgement, ordering Belemaoil Producing Limited to pay BGP/CNPC International Nigeria Limited the sum of $21,858,185.12 and another $10,810,270,635 as the balance of services rendered in a contract, is a subject of an appeal pending before the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, one of the lawyers handling the case has said.
Reacting to a media report that the court ordered Belemaoil to pay $21.8 million and N10.8 billion in contract debt to BGP/CNPC, Mrs.
Tina Douglas-Jaja, of Apple Solicitors, said the High Court judgement being referred to was given more than four months ago and it was appealed immediately.
READ ALSO: Court orders Belemaoil to pay $21m, N10b contract debts to BGP/CNPC
The Statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a publication credited to BGP/CNPC International Nigeria Limited, which is in circulation in the media against Belemaoil Producing Limited with the caption, ‘Court orders Belemaoil to pay $21m, N10b contract debts to BGP/CNPC.’
“We wish to state categorically that the judgement in suit PHC/3442/CS/2022: BGP/CNPC International Nigeria Limited v. Belemaoil Producing Ltd is a subject of appeal in appeal no CA/PH/249/2024: Belemaoil Producing Ltd v. BGP/CNPC International Nigeria Limited, hence subjudice.
READ ALSO: How a dangerous joke on Abacha nearly landed me in custody — Ali Baba
“We expect that BGP/CNPC International Nigeria Limited’s counsel, with his expertise in the noble profession, ought to know and advise his client accordingly; that once a matter is pending in a court of law, parties ought not interfere with the proceedings in court.
“The general public is therefore advised to discountenance the said publication as the judgement under reference is currently on appeal, as no action is expected to be taken on the judgement of the lower court that is being challenged at the appellate court.”