RAHVET International Limited one of the company handling projects for Oyo state government has filed a suit at an Oyo State High Court sitting in Oyo challenging the state government and others of an alleged contempt
RAHVET International Limited owned by Dr Mufutau Raheem is one of the major contractors, handling some of the state projects.
The court presided over by Justice Iyabo Yerima had in a ruling on Thursday, said that the defendants would have to prove to the court why they should not be committed to prison for contempt.
Among the defendants are Governor of Oyo State, Oyo State Government,
Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development
as well as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
The applicant had approached the court over efforts by the defendants
to terminate a contract awarded to it for construction of 10,000 metric tonne Silos project in Oyo.
The firm had sought an order from the court, restraining the defendants and their officials from entering the project site.
It also sought and order from the court to restrain the defendants and their officials from tampering with the equipments.
Justice Yerima had on April 9 granted the prayers of the applicant, restraining the defendants and their officials from tampering with the equipments or entering the project site.
The applicant through his counsel, Mr Olabode Elemide had dragged the
defendants back to the court on allegation that they broke into the project site in violation of the court order.
But, Mr Najeem Abiola, the defense counsel, said that they have filed
a stay on proceedings, praying that the court grants the application.
After the submissions of the counsels, Yerima in her ruling said that the defendants would have to prove why they should not be committed to prison for disobeying court order.
She also declined the stay of proceeding filed by the defendants, saying they cannot ask for the authority of a court they have
disobeyed its orders.
The case was adjourned to May 14 for the defendants to prepare their defense on the contempt charges against them.
Elemide told newsmen that the defendants and some traditional chiefs had on April 10 allegedly broke into the project site in violation of the court order.
He alleged that the defendants did not only break into the project site, but changed the padlocks which he described as impunity and gross disobedience to the court.
But Abiola, when approached after the sitting refused to comment, saying he was not mandated to talk to newsmen.
