Tobacco.org

• BAT loses bid to stall Lagos' suit 

NIGERIA'S multi-national tobacco company, the British-American Tobacco Limited (BAT), has told a Lagos High Court that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear a $21,617,605,885.17 (about N2,702,200,735, 647.17) suit initiated against it by the state government.

Its lawyer, Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN), asked the court to determine its competence to entertain the suit, insisting that the issue of jurisdiction must be heard first.

This, he said, was germane to the instant suit as the company's preliminary objection was fundamental to the entire suit, adding, until it was resolved, the matter would not proceed.

However, the court, presided over by Justice Oluwatoyin Atinuke Ipaye, has fixed July 3, for argument.

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