ICTN Runs into Hitches as Court Stops Appointment of Operators
ROTIMI AMAECHI
By Our Reporter
A federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday stopped the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaech, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Bureau of Public Procurement from appointing any company as the operator of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN).
The order which was issued by Justice D. U. Okorowo followed an ex parte motion filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights which felt dissatisfied about the process in the appointment of the operator for the ICTN.
The court had restrained specifically Medtech Scientific Limited and Rozi International Nigeria Limited as defendants in the case from parading themselves as operators of ICTN until the determination of the case.
The ex parte motion was filed on December 13 with a sworn affidavit by Executive Director of CASER, Frank Tietie.
In his ruling, the Court granted the interim orders against the defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion by the plaintiffs.
Justice Okorowo after listening to A.U Mustapha (SAN) for the plaintiff/applicant, restrained 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”.
According to CASER, the case was to ensure that due process, particularly compliance provisions of the Public Procurement Act was observed in choosing who provides such sensitive services.
Tietie said this was considering the continued inflow of massive small arms and light weapons through the nation’s seaports.
The case was adjourned to January 12 for the argument based on the motion on notice.
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