A Port Harcourt-based company, Charlietam International Services Limited has filed an action before the Federal High Court in Lagos againt a multinational oil company Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited, of OML 29 oil bloc in Bayelsa State
They sought a winding-up proceedings against the oil giant for its prolonged inability to pay a debt of N259,068,753.00 owed the company for various services rendered between December 2017 and March 2019.
A copy of the petition was made available to Blueprint, file by one of Aiteo’s contractors, through its Solicitors Anthony Enyindah, Victor Okezie and Dr Dickson Omukoro of Ntephe Smith & Wills.
The petitioners pray the court to wind-up the company on grounds of insolvency pursuant to sections 408 and 409(a) of the Company and
Allied Matters Act.
In a six paragraph affidavit verifying the petition, Mr Unye Sunday Micah, Managing Director of Charlietam International Services Limited, affirmed that between December 2017 to March 2019, his company rendered services valued at ₦265,068,753.00 and was only paid the sum of ₦6million without payment advice, leaving an outstanding balance of N259,068,753.00.
The petitioner averred that several demand letters, includes those from the petitioner’s solicitors were sent to the Company’s Abuja and Lagos addresses, but Aiteo fails to respond to any of the letters.
The final demand letter dated 28th August 2019, was sent by the petitioner pursuant to sections 408 and 409 (a) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. In the said letter, the petitioners demand to be paid amount owed and inform Aiteo of an impending legal action.
The petition, accordingly read in part, “More than twenty-one (21) days have since elapsed from the last demand without the Company making good the moneys owed as aforesaid. The petition further stated that the Company is insolvent and unable to pay its debt .
“That the Court, under the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990, winds-up AITEO EASTERN E & P COMPANY LIMITED; and for such further or other orders as this Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
No date has been fixed for hearing of the petition
