Groups urge Supreme Court to review judgment on multi-million dollars contractual dispute

A coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Supreme Court to review its judgment in a multi-million dollars contractual dispute between an indigenous company, Owigs and Obigs Nig. Ltd and Zenith Bank Plc.

The groups; Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative, Independent Public Service Accountability Watch, among others, made the call on Wednesday while addressing newsmen in Abuja.

Convener of the groups, Stephen Ebira, faulted the judgment of the apex court on the grounds that it was marred by misrepresentation of facts contrary to the evidence before the court.

He described the judgment in the appeal number: SC.709/2020 which was delivered on May 24, 2024, as surprising.

He alleged that the said judgment sought to be reviewed which was in favour of Zenith Bank amounted to miscarriage of justice as the wrongdoer was declared innocent and rewarded, while the victim was held liable.

While stating that the Supreme Court should be a place of hope for the hopeless, Ebira alleged that the judgment casts doubt on the presumed integrity of the apex court.

“It raised a red flag for investors and tarnished the surviving fragment of the nation’s reputation before the international communities, and should be quickly reviewed,” he said.

He said the legal action in question involved a breach of an international commercial contract for the export of solid minerals on a 100 per cent credit basis, with letter of credit confirmation by the confirming bank as required by the fundamental credit term of the contract.