Niger State High Court II, sitting in Minna, has fixed July 8, 2024, for Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited and its managing director to take their pleas in a multi-billion-naira case over the ground rent owed by the Niger State Government.
The Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NSIRS) had filed a criminal case over the refusal of the Power Generating Company to pay the ground rent due to the state.
Counsel to the complainant, Aliyu Ibrahim Lemu (SAN), confirmed to the court that personal service has been provided to the first defendant, Managing Director, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, who was not in court but the company was represented in court.
Lemu said that they have been contacted by the defendants and are willing to settle the ground rent up to the tune of N126b.
Justice Abdullahi Mika'ilu, however, adjourned the case to July 8, 2024, for the defendants, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited and its Managing Director, to take their pleas.
Meanwhile, North-South Power Company Limited and Stanbic IBTC Bank, operating in Niger State, have shown commitment to the Niger State High Court to resolve the issue of outstanding rent owed to the state.
Newsline gathers that, as a result of the bench warrants issued by the Court for refusal to appear in respect of the charges in the criminal case involving the company and its Managing Director, Counsel to the Complainant, Aliyu Ibrahim Lemu (SAN), told the Court that the Counsel to the defendants, Ibrahim Isyaku (SAN), has shown commitment to address the issues that necessitated the issuance of the bench warrant against his clients.
Ibrahim Lemu said that since they have been approached by the counsel for the defendants, they will not enforce the application of the bench warrant but rather provide a calm atmosphere for amicable resolution.
He further stressed that Stanbic IBTC Bank has opted for amicable resolution of the contending issues, which they have given nod to even as the bench warrant still exists.