From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State High Court Judge, Theresa A Igoche yesterday granted an interim injunction restraining the Governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom and four others from taking any step towards the sale, privatization or commercialisation of Benue Links Nigeria Limited.
The Court made the order after hearing the application moved by Barr. Imoter Gbim-Gbande , counsel to the plaintiffs(Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees and three others).
While speaking to our correspondent on phone, Barr. Imoter explained that the action to privatize Benue Links violates Section 9 sub 2 of Benue State Privatization Law.
According to him, the State Government had on 16th August 2021 published in Nations Newspaper and purportedly listed enterprises for privatization with Benue Links inclusive.
“My client were dissatisfied and wrote to Government but they were not forthcoming and so, they decided to file an originating summon seeking interpretation because Section 9 sub 2 of the privatization Law clearly listed the companies for privatization.
“And in that section, Benue Links is not listed and as such, whatever that is not mentioned is not known by law. There is no legal backing upon which it should be sold and so, we are seeking interpretation of the Privatization Law.
“The intention of the Law is that those companies not functional should be privatized so that they can function well and not the other way round.
‘The contention is that the Privatization Law does not allow the Governemt in anyway sell companies that are functioning very well. We also, sought an exparte order and the court adjourned it to December 3, 2021 for the hearing of the motion on notice”, Barr. Imoter said.
