In continuation of hearing the case between Mr clement Osuya and Stanbic IBTC Bank holding in Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal located at no 4 Danube close Maitama Abuja.
The defendant’s counsel notified the court of his application praying the leave of court to amend the defendant’s statement of defense.
The claimant’s counsel objected to the application of the defendant stating that the defendant did not follow the rules of the Tribunal (Order 4 Rule 3).
However, the Defendant earlier Served the Claimant an Amended Statement of Defence on the 2nd of February 2023, only to serve the motion (Application for Amendment) yesterday, and by the rules of the court, the claimant should be given two clear days before the next hearing of the matter in addition to at least 7days in which to reply the said amendment. [Order 4 Rule 1(b)].
The Tribunal held that the application is premature and the claimant is still within the time given to respond to the application and as such same is not ripe for hearing’ and went further to caution the counsels on the fact that one of the Tribunal’s core objectives was the timely dispensation of Justice and as such, the Tribunal won’t keep entertaining trivial technicalities which would, in turn, hinder this core objective by continuous and frivolous adjournments.
Tribunal adjourned the matter to the 15th of march 2023 for the continuation of the hearing.
Damilola Osungade
Communications Officer
CCPT
